Smooth Dogwood
Cornus glabrata
Care
part shade
moderate
Slow; Tolerates a variety of soils.
5–20ft tall
Mar-May
Deciduous
Resistant
Friendly
Berries eaten raw or cooked. Traditional Indigenous food
Supports up to 58 butterfly and moth species in Mediterranean California
Riparian woodlands and streamside habitats of the Sierra Nevada foothills and northern California from 1000-4000 ft elevation.
Care Guide
Planting
Plant Smooth Dogwood in fall or winter in a spot that gets partial shade. This deciduous shrub tolerates a variety of soils but prefers areas with slow drainage - think near a water source or in a low spot in your garden. Space it where it has room to spread, since it naturally forms thickets and can reach 5–20 feet tall.
After Planting
Water deeply and regularly during your first season to establish the plant; once established, you'll only need to water about once a week in summer. In year one, expect lots of leggy growth and bright green leaves that turn red in fall - this is normal. The biggest mistake Bay Area gardeners make is overwatering once the plant is established; Smooth Dogwood can handle drier conditions than its native streamside habitat, so let the soil dry out between waterings. Prune in late winter to manage the thicket-forming growth if needed, and enjoy the fuzzy white spring flowers and bluish-white berries without worrying about deer damage.
Wildlife Supported
Birds
White berry fruit consumed during fall migration and winter; important food source
Flocks consume white berries; key winter and migratory staging resource
Insects
Larvae feed on flower buds and developing fruit; multiple generations Feb-Sep
Genus-specific pathogenic fungus; most active in cool, humid conditions
Pathogenic fungus affecting leaves; presence indicates plant health stress