Also known as Dogwood · 2.1k gardener saves
Cornus: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Cornus, the genus most gardeners know as dogwood. We track 56 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Cornus varieties
Of 56 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedRed Twig Dogwood
Cornus sericea 'Red Twig'
#2 most savedArctic Fire Red Osier Dogwood
Cornus sericea 'Arctic Fire'
#3 most savedKousa Dogwood
Cornus kousa
Midwinter Fire Dogwood
Cornus sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire'
Giant Dogwood, Wedding Cake Tree
Cornus controversa
Red Osier Dogwood
Cornus sericea 'Cardinal'
Golden Dogwood
Cornus sericea 'Golden Dogwood'
Red Osier Dogwood
Cornus sericea 'For the Birds'
Elegantissima Dogwood
Cornus alba 'Elegantissima'
Miss Satomi Dogwood
Cornus kousa 'Miss Satomi'
Greensleeves Dogwood
Cornus florida 'Greensleeves'
Flowering Dogwood
Cornus florida 'Blue Ray'
Browse all 56 Cornus varieties →
How to grow Cornus
What the Cornus varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 40 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Cornus year
- PruneFebruary95% of varieties
Prune only to remove dead or damaged wood after flowering.
- MulchMarch, April and October68% of varieties
Maintain a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch over the root zone.
- PlantFebruary, March, September and October53% of varieties
Plant in early spring or fall in acidic, well-drained soil.
- PropagateJanuary and November45% of varieties
Take hardwood cuttings in fall for easy propagation
- Check for PestsApril–July35% of varieties
Inspect trunk for dogwood borer activity.
Do
- Apply mulch to conserve moisture
- Protect the trunk from lawnmowers and string trimmers.
- Prune after flowering to maintain shape
- Water regularly during dry spells 🌱
- Water deeply during dry spells 🌱
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Do not plant in heavy, wet, or alkaline soils.
- Don't prune in late summer or fall
- Do not prune in late fall or winter
What goes wrong with Cornus
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Scale insects | Bumps on stems and leaves, yellowing | Use horticultural oil or insecticidal soap |
| Dogwood Borer | Small holes in the trunk, often near the base or wounds, with sawdust-like frass. Causes canopy dieback. | Keep the tree healthy and avoid trunk wounds from mowers. Pheromone traps can monitor adults. Permethrin-based insecticides can be sprayed on the trunk. |
| Dogwood Sawfly | Larvae, which look like caterpillars, can strip leaves from the plant. | Hand-pick small infestations. Use insecticidal soap or spinosad for larger outbreaks. Healthy plants usually recover fully. |
| Powdery Mildew | White powdery coating on leaves, causing distortion. | Improve air circulation. Plant in a sunnier location. Use horticultural oil or specific fungicides. |
| Powdery mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Apply fungicide and improve air circulation |
| Dogwood Anthracnose | Tan spots with purple borders on leaves and bracts, can cause twig dieback and cankers. | Plant in a site with good air circulation and morning sun. Prune out dead wood. Rake and destroy fallen leaves. Fungicides can be preventative. |
Making more Cornus
Cuttings
- Select healthy semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer.
- Dip cut ends in rooting hormone.
- Plant in moist, well-drained soil.
- Keep soil consistently moist for 6 weeks.
Layering
- Bend a low-growing branch to the ground in spring.
- Wound the bark slightly where it touches the soil.
- Pin it down and cover with soil, leaving the tip exposed.
- Roots will form in 6-12 months. Sever from parent plant.
Cornus questions
How many types of Cornus are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 56 distinct Cornus varieties. The most popular — ranked by 2.1k real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Cornus grow in?
Across its varieties, Cornus covers USDA Zones 4–9. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Cornus bloom?
Most Cornus varieties bloom in late spring, mid-spring, early spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Cornus should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
More on Cornus
Cornus shows up in
Related genera
Design with Cornus in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
