Cornus includes a variety of deciduous shrubs and trees, as well as prostrate, woody perennials, some featuring vibrant young stems. The small flowers appear in compact clusters, occasionally accompanied by prominent bracts. Several species display attractive foliage in the fall.

Cornus benthamii

Cornus bretschneideri

Cornus canadensis is a perennial plant that spreads through rhizomes, creating a broad mat of oval foliage arranged in whorls on upright stems that reach heights of 10 to 15 cm. In late spring and early summer, it produces noticeable oval white bracts that encircle greenish flowers, which are succeeded by red berries.

Cornus canadensis

Cornus canadensis 'Downeaster'

Cornus canadensis 'Golden Falls'

Cornus capitata is a bushy, evergreen tree or shrub characterized by its grey-green leaves, which can reach lengths of up to 12 cm. During the summer months, it produces clusters of green flowers measuring approximately 1.5 cm in diameter, each enveloped by cream-white bracts that are 4-5 cm long. After flowering, the plant bears drooping, strawberry-like fruits.

Cornus capitata

Cornus capitata 'Cornish Chameleon'

Cornus capitata 'Foreness Fog' (v)

Cornus capitata 'Kilmacurragh Rose'

Cornus capitata 'Mountain Moon'

Cornus capitata 'Rag Doll' (v)

Cornus capitata 'Yoko'

Cornus capitata subsp. emeiensis

Cornus chinensis

Cornus citrina

This deciduous tree reaches heights of up to 15 meters, featuring a unique layered branching structure. Its glossy, oval leaves frequently shift to purple as autumn arrives. In spring, it produces flat clusters of small white flowers, which may later develop into small blue-black berries.

Cornus controversa

Cornus controversa 'Aurea'

Cornus controversa 'Candlelight'

Cornus controversa 'Carpe Diem'

Cornus controversa 'Frans Type' is a dynamic small tree characterized by its horizontally arranged branches, reaching heights of up to 5 meters. The leaves are alternately arranged, oval-shaped with pointed tips, featuring narrow white edges that contrast with a gray-green center, transitioning to shades of pink and red in the fall. In May, it produces flat clusters of small white flowers, which are self-fertile. These blooms give way to small blue-black berries in the autumn.

Cornus controversa 'Frans Type' (v)

Cornus controversa 'Gosia'PBR (v)

Cornus controversa 'GrY-C'

Cornus controversa 'Green Carpet' is a compact, layered tree that reaches heights between 0.6 m and 1 m (up to 1.5 m). Its leaves are elliptic and pointed, showcasing a glossy green hue that transitions to a vibrant red in the fall. The tree produces delicate corymbs of small white flowers that create a light canopy above the foliage. In autumn, it is also adorned with black berries.

Cornus controversa 'Green Carpet'

Cornus controversa 'Hakkouda-no-kagayaki'

Cornus controversa 'Janine' (v)

Cornus controversa 'June Snow'

Cornus controversa 'Kansetsu' (v)

Cornus controversa 'Laska' is a deciduous small tree or sizable shrub characterized by its broad, tiered structure. The leaves are narrow, pointed, and oval, exhibiting a rich green hue that transforms into red and orange tones during the fall season. In spring and summer, this plant produces small, fragrant white flowers with a delicate, lacy appearance.

Cornus controversa 'Laska'

Cornus controversa 'Lucia'

Cornus controversa 'Marginata Nord' is a compact, deciduous small tree or shrub featuring a layered growth habit. Its leaves are oval, displaying a grey-green hue accented by narrow cream borders and a subtle pink tint. In summer, clusters of white flowers emerge, giving way to pink berries in the fall.

Cornus controversa 'Marginata Nord'

Cornus controversa 'Pagoda' is a deciduous shrub or small tree known for its unique, layered growth form. The foliage consists of pointed, oval leaves that are a deep, glossy green, shifting to a burgundy hue as autumn arrives. In spring, it produces flat clusters of creamy-white flowers, which are succeeded by dark blue to black berries that grow on red stems in the fall. While this plant can reach heights and widths of up to 15 meters, its growth rate is gradual, typically taking 20 to 50 years to achieve its full size.

Cornus controversa 'Pagoda'

Cornus controversa 'Pk-Mg' (v)

Cornus controversa 'Troya Dwarf'

Cornus controversa 'Variegata' is a compact deciduous tree characterized by its distinctly layered branching structure. The leaves are narrowly ovate, featuring broad cream margins that transition to yellow hues in the fall. In spring, it produces small cream flowers arranged in flat clusters, which are succeeded by black berries.

Cornus controversa 'Variegata' (v)

Cornus coreana

Cornus darvasica

Cornus disciflora

Cornus elliptica is a bushy small tree or shrub that can be evergreen or semi-evergreen. It features thick, glossy, oval leaves that shift to a purple hue during the winter months. In summer, this plant produces clusters of white flowers, which are actually bracts, and these are succeeded by red berries in the fall.

Cornus elliptica

Cornus elliptica 'First Choice'

Cornus elliptica 'Full Moon'

Cornus elliptica Empress of China ('Elsbry') is a compact, semi-evergreen tree or large shrub characterized by its oval, dark green leaves that shine with a glossy finish. As the seasons shift into autumn and winter, the foliage transitions to shades of pink and yellow. In early summer, once the plant has settled in, it produces clusters of creamy-white bracts that resemble flowers, which are succeeded by pink, strawberry-like berries in the fall.

Cornus elliptica Empress of China ('Elsbry')

Cornus excelsa is a semi-evergreen tree native to Mexico, capable of growing up to 10 meters tall. It has a broad, spreading form and bears pointed, oval leaves that are dark green, changing to red hues in the fall. In early to mid-summer, it produces small white flowers, which are succeeded by dark blue to black berries in autumn. This species is uncommon in the UK.

Cornus excelsa

Cornus florida is a small tree or sizable shrub featuring broad, oval leaves that shift to shades of red and purple in the fall. In late spring, it produces clusters of small green flowers, which are encased in noticeable white or pink bracts. This is followed by the development of rounded, orange-red fruits.

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