Gray DogwoodCornus racemosa
A widely adapted, multistemmed shrub that forms large, upright, branching stands that may reach heights of 12'. Commonly used in restorations or revegetation sites and is often allowed to form thickets. It has been used in slopes, buffers, fence rows, stream bank stabilization, lake edges, and upper shoreline zones. It will increase and become denser with disturbance. This species suckers and forms thickets that will invade surrounding areas and become aggressive. This may be a strategy to inhibit other species that invade, such as buckthorn and honeysuckle.
USDA symbol: CORA6
General Information
| Plant Type | Shrub |
|---|---|
| Height | 10 feet |
| Light Exposure | Sun, Part Sun, Shade |
| Soil Moisture | Dry, Medium, Wet |
| Bloom Color | White |
Tolerances
| Flooding / Inundation Tolerance | Moderate |
|---|---|
| General Resilience | 8 |
| Salt Tolerance | Low |
| Stress Tolerance | Alkaline Conditions, General Disturbance |
Pollinator Value: High
| Bloom Months | May to June |
|---|---|
| Larval Host of | Bees |
| Specific Pollinators Hosted | Numerous bee species |
| Pollinator Benefit | Insect Pollinated, Provides Nectar, Supports Generalists |
Project Planning
| Project Type | Erosion Control, Restoration, Sandy or Engineered Soils |
|---|---|
| Coefficient of Conservatism | 4 |
| Herbivore Sensitivity | Medium |
| Lifespan | Perennial |
| Rate of Spread | Medium |
| Soil Stabilization | Deep |
| Vegetative Reproduction | Clonal |
Range
| County | Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Blue Earth, Brown, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Chippewa, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Cook, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake, Le Sueur, Mahnomen, Marshall, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Nicollet, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pine, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Roseau, Sherburne, Sibley, St. Louis, Stearns, Steele, Swift, Todd, Wabasha, Wadena, Waseca, Washington, Watonwan, Winona, Wright |
|---|---|
| Ecoregion | Driftless Area, Lake Agassiz Plain, North Central Hardwood Forests, Northern Glaciated Plains, Northern Lakes and Forests, Northern Minnesota Wetlands, Western Cornbelt Plains |
| Approximate Eco Province | Eastern Broadleaf Forest, Laurentian Mixed Forest, Prairie Parkland, Tallgrass Aspen Parklands |