Gray Twig Dogwood

Light Needs

Part Shade to Full Sun

(3+ Hours Direct Sun)

Mature Height

6-8 Feet

Mature Spread

10-15 Feet

Growing Zones

3 to 8

Gray Twig Dogwood, or Cornus racemosa, is an underappreciated deciduous dogwood that stuns with busy, vivid, dark-green leaves. In midsummer, the Graytwig flowers with flat panicles of white blooms that transform into thick bunches of white berries in late summer to early fall. As the season progresses, this beautiful tree takes on a bronze hue, its leaves turning reddish-maroon in the fall. As the tree ages, its bark develops a dusty scarlet color. It grows to a height of 10 to 15 feet tall with an equal spread at maturity.

Native to northeastern Connecticut, Gray Twig Dogwoods prefer dappled shade or partial sunlight. It is hardy, slow-growing, has multi-seasonal interest, is easy to care for, and is attractive to song birds because of its plentiful berries and dense branches. It is considered a forage tree for deer and other woodland critters. It has an irregular to rounded growing shape and can be grown as a shrub or small tree.

Gray Twig Dogwood Care

You should plant your Gray Twig Dogwood in an area that has filtered sun or partial shade. If planted in an area that receives more sunlight, your Graytwig will develop more flowers and a denser leaf mound. This dogwood likes fertile, neutral to slightly acidic soil that is well-drained. Water your dogwood often to maintain good moisture and fertilize annually. The beautiful variety can tolerate a wide variety of soils, including poor and wet soils.

The best time to prune your dogwood is in late fall or winter when your tree is dormant. If you prune your dogwood in the spring or summer, it may release sap and make it more susceptible to bugs and diseases. They are typically pest and disease free.

Gray Twig Dogwood Spacing

When considering a location for your Gray Twig Dogwood, choose a location that will take advantage of its versatility. They work well planted en masses in a hedgerow or shrub border. They provide a woody natural look to any landscape in need of an autumn focal point, and can grow into a sizable thicket. Gray Twigs should be spaced from 10 to 20 feet apart. It is excellent to use for naturalizing and grows well near ponds and streams.

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