Overview
Cornus glabrata is a bushy, matforming, suckering shrubs in the genus Cornus, part of the Cornaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Cornus glabrata grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6, H7. Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden, wildlife gardens, flower borders and beds and hedging and screens.
About
Cornus glabrata is a species of dogwood native to California and Oregon and known by the common names brown dogwood, smooth dogwood, and western cornel. This is a large shrub or thicket-forming bush with bright green leaves which turn red in fall.
About the genus
Cornus is a genus of about 30–60 species of woody plants in the family Cornaceae, commonly known as dogwoods or cornels, which can generally be distinguished by their blossoms, berries, and distinctive bark. Most are deciduous trees or shrubs, but a few species are nearly herbaceous perennial subshrubs, and some species are evergreen. Several species have small heads of inconspicuous flowers surrounded by an involucre of large, typically white petal-like bracts, while others have more open clusters of petal-bearing flowers.
Wikipedia contributors, "Cornus", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Cornus
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Cornus
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, East-facing, West-facing, North-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6, H7
Plant details
Cornus glabrata size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Shrubs
- Habit
- Bushy, Matforming, Suckering
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens, Flower borders and beds, Hedging and screens
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Cornus glabrata
- Propagation
- Semi-hardwood cuttings, Hardwood cuttings, Grafting, Division, Layering
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to cornus anthracnose and honey fungus
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Cornus glabrata?
Cornus glabrata prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Cornus glabrata need?
Cornus glabrata is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained to well-drained.
Is Cornus glabrata hardy in the UK?
Cornus glabrata has an RHS hardiness rating of H6, meaning it is very hardy, tolerating -20 to -15°C across most of the UK.
How do I propagate Cornus glabrata?
Semi-hardwood cuttings, Hardwood cuttings, Grafting, Division, Layering.
More in the Cornus genus
- Cornus florida 'Fastigiata'Flowering Dogwood
- Cornus kousa 'Tsukuba No Mine'Kousa Dogwood
- Cornus mas 'Kazanlak' (F)cornelian cherry 'Kasanlaker'
- Cornus sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire'Common dogwood
