Cornus stolonifera, Red-Twig Dogwood
FS-PS, Zone 3, blooms June-July, 10’ x 5’, wet to medium, deer resistant
Keystone species - In general the Cornus genus including Silky Dogwood is the larveal-host plant for 121 speceis of moths and butterflies. Including the Spring and Summer Azure Butterfly. Native dogwoods as a group are widely recognized as keystone plants due to their role in supporting specialized wildlife including several species of Mining bees. The shrub produces abundant,, high-fat, dark blue fruits in late summer to autumn. These berries are crucial for migrating and resident songbirds, including robins, catbirds, and woodpeckers. Cornus amomum spreads by suckers to create thickets, which provide nesting sites, shelter, and security for small mammals and birds. Helps with erosion control.
Typically reaches 7’, will grow to 10’ in rich soils, Fast growing shrub forms thickets. The shrub needs to be thinned out to produce the bright red twigs. this is a super plant to support wildlife. The late spring white blooms attract bees, wasps, moths, butterflies and beetles. Birds eat the berries and the dogwood thickets protect them and give them places to roost.
It is the host plant for the Spring Azure Butterfly and Summer Azure Butterfly.
Cornus stolonifera, Red-Twig Dogwood
FS-PS, Zone 3, blooms June-July, 10’ x 5’, wet to medium, deer resistant
Keystone species - In general the Cornus genus including Silky Dogwood is the larveal-host plant for 121 speceis of moths and butterflies. Including the Spring and Summer Azure Butterfly. Native dogwoods as a group are widely recognized as keystone plants due to their role in supporting specialized wildlife including several species of Mining bees. The shrub produces abundant,, high-fat, dark blue fruits in late summer to autumn. These berries are crucial for migrating and resident songbirds, including robins, catbirds, and woodpeckers. Cornus amomum spreads by suckers to create thickets, which provide nesting sites, shelter, and security for small mammals and birds. Helps with erosion control.
Typically reaches 7’, will grow to 10’ in rich soils, Fast growing shrub forms thickets. The shrub needs to be thinned out to produce the bright red twigs. this is a super plant to support wildlife. The late spring white blooms attract bees, wasps, moths, butterflies and beetles. Birds eat the berries and the dogwood thickets protect them and give them places to roost.
It is the host plant for the Spring Azure Butterfly and Summer Azure Butterfly.
Photo credit - Prairie Moon Nursery
