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Creeping Dogwood

Cornus canadensis
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Cornus canadensis (Creeping Dogwood) — botanical photograph
Pl. AA12 — Cornus canadensis
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Overview

Creeping Dogwood (Cornus canadensis) is a low-growing, spreading perennial that thrives in moist, light to medium soil conditions and prefers partial sun to full shade. Native to North America and parts of Asia, it ranges from Alaska and Canada to the northeastern United States and Siberia. This plant is known for its edible fruit, which ripens into small white berries that are often used in jams or eaten fresh. Its distinctive features include its spreading habit and clusters of small, inconspicuous flowers followed by attractive fruits. Creeping Dogwood adds ornamental value to gardens while also providing a food source. It is hardy in zones 2-7, making it suitable for temperate regions. Propagate through division or by seed. This perennial grows to about 0.3 meters tall and produces edible fruit, contributing to its utility as a ground cover and pectin source. While primarily used for its ornamental and edible qualities, it is important to note that the plant should not be consumed in large quantities without proper identification to avoid potential confusion with toxic look-alikes.

Quick answers

What is Creeping Dogwood?

Creeping Dogwood (Cornus canadensis) is a low-growing, spreading perennial that thrives in moist, light to medium soil conditions and prefers partial sun to full shade. Native to North America and parts of Asia, it ranges from Alaska and Canada to the northeastern United States and Siberia.

Growingconditions · propagation · uses
V

Cultivation

Creeping Dogwood thrives in partial sun to full sun and prefers moist, well-drained soil that can be light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). It is hardy in zones 2-7, making it suitable for temperate regions. Propagate through division or from cuttings. This perennial grows to about 0.3 meters and is native to a wide range of North American and Asian regions. Its fruit is edible.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
2-7
Life cycle
Perennial
Mature size
0.3 m tall
For first-time growers

How to grow Creeping Dogwood for the first time

7steps

Start with a simple, low-maintenance approach to growing Creeping Dogwood.

  1. 1

    What you'll need

    A small plant or seeds, a container or garden bed, and basic gardening tools.

  2. 2

    Best time to plant

    Plant in early spring or late fall when the soil is moist but not waterlogged.

  3. 3

    Soil and container prep

    Ensure the soil is well-draining with a pH between 5.0 and 7.0, and prepare the garden bed by loosening the soil to about 30 cm deep.

  4. 4

    Sowing or transplanting

    Transplant young plants in early spring or sow seeds directly into the ground after the last frost.

  5. 5

    First two weeks

    Keep the soil consistently moist and avoid direct sunlight, providing partial shade if possible.

  6. 6

    Ongoing care

    Water regularly to keep the soil moist but not soggy. Mulch around the plant to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

  7. 7

    Harvest or pruning

    Prune in late winter before new growth begins to maintain shape and remove any dead or damaged branches.

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Edible & utility

Edible parts:Fruit
Edible uses: Pectin
Other uses:PectinGround cover
Contextrange · companions · related
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Distribution

54 native · 1 introduced
Distribution across3 continents· 54 native· 1 introduced
Europe1 region
introduced (1)United Kingdom
Asia4 regions
native (4)ChinaJapanMyanmarSouth Korea
Americas2 regions
native (2)GreenlandUnited States
Broader regions
native:Alberta, Aleutian Is., Amur, British Columbia, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Khabarovsk, Kuril Is., Labrador, Maine, Manitoba, Maryland, Masachusettes, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Newfoundland, North Dakota, Northwest Territorie, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ohio, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Primorye, Prince Edward I., Québec, Rhode I., Sakhalin, Saskatchewan, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Yukon
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Specimen gallery

1 image
Cornus canadensis (Creeping Dogwood) — botanical photograph
Creeping Dogwood (Cornus canadensis)
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