{"product_id":"gray-dogwood","title":"Gray Dogwood","description":"\u003ch1\u003eA Tough, Thicket-Forming Native Dogwood for Wildlife and Screening\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGray Dogwood (Cornus racemosa) is one of Minnesota's most adaptable native shrubs — happy in sun or shade, wet or dry, where it forms a dense, suckering thicket. Clusters of white spring flowers become white berries on bright red stalks that birds devour, and the foliage turns rich reddish-purple in fall. Whether you're screening a property line in Minnetonka, naturalizing a tough transition zone in Woodbury, or planting for wildlife in Maple Grove — Gray Dogwood is a rugged, dependable native for zone 4b–5a yards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eGray Dogwood Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mce-item-table\"\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAttribute\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCornus racemosa\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGray Dogwood, Northern Swamp Dogwood\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Height\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–15 feet (can be kept lower)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Width\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–15 feet (suckering)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate to fast — multi-stemmed, suckering; forms a thicket\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSun\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun to part shade. Adaptable to a wide range of light.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLow to high — exceptionally adaptable, tolerating both dry and wet soils.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–8 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a) — fully hardy and reliable here\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVery adaptable — tolerates Minnesota clay-loam, dry, and wet soils alike.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeciduous — green summer leaves turning rich reddish-purple in fall.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to -40°F. A tough Minnesota native.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerately deer-resistant.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNative Status\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinnesota native — supports native pollinators and birds and the Lawns to Legumes program.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eClusters of white flowers in late spring, followed by white berries on bright red stalks favored by birds.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eGray Dogwood Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eScreening and thickets\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts dense, suckering habit makes a fast informal screen or naturalized thicket that buffers a property line in Minnetonka or Woodbury.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eNaturalizing tough sites\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdaptable to dry or wet soil and sun or shade, it's perfect for naturalizing difficult edges, ditches, and transition zones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eNative and wildlife plantings\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhite flowers feed pollinators and the berries are a top food source for birds — a cornerstone of a Twin Cities habitat planting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Gray Dogwood in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFall (late August–early October) is the ideal planting window. Soil is still warm for root development, cool air reduces transplant stress, and the plant gets 6–8 weeks to establish roots before ground freeze (typically mid-November in the Twin Cities).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpring (late April–May, after the ground thaws) is the second-best window, giving the shrub a full season to establish before its first winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoid summer planting (June–August) when possible. Never plant after mid-October or before late April — frozen ground or frost-heaving kills new roots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Gray Dogwood\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDig wide, not deep — 2–3× the root ball width, same depth as the container.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNearly any spot works — sun or shade, dry or wet — ideal for problem areas and screens.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBackfill with native soil mixed with some compost; firm gently and water in well.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpace 5–6 feet apart for a screen or thicket; give it room to sucker.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuild a water basin the first season; flatten it before winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMulch 2–3 inches with shredded bark, kept off the stems. Remove suckers to contain it, or let it spread to naturalize.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Gray Dogwood in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFirst Year Watering Schedule\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeeks 1–2: Every 1–2 days, deep and slow (15–25 minutes)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 1–2: Every 3–4 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 3–6: Every 5–7 days; it tolerates both dry and wet once established\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStop watering 2–3 weeks before ground freeze (typically late October in the Twin Cities metro).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAfter Year One\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEstablished gray dogwood is remarkably adaptable, tolerating drought and wet alike — water only during extended dry spells.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDrip Irrigation in Minnesota\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf used, place emitters 12–18 inches from the crown. Always winterize the system — blow out the lines before freeze and shut timers off by early October.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it native to Minnesota?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — Cornus racemosa is a Minnesota native, one of the best dogwoods for wildlife and naturalizing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it spread?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — it suckers to form a thicket, ideal for screening and naturalizing. Remove suckers to contain it in formal beds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it have colorful stems?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts stems are gray rather than red; the showy features are the white berries on red stalks, reddish-purple fall color, and excellent wildlife value.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan it handle wet and dry soil?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — it's among the most adaptable native shrubs, thriving from dry banks to wet edges.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMuskingum Dogwood — a low, spreading form of native gray dogwood\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAmerican Hazelnut — a native thicket shrub with edible nuts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMinnesota Natives — regionally native shrubs and trees for habitat and easy care\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Gray Dogwood Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a natural screen or wildlife thicket, plant Gray Dogwood 5–6 feet apart — it will sucker to fill the gaps within a few seasons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eScreen Length\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePlants Needed (5 ft spacing)\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e9 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor naturalizing a ditch, slope, or property edge, a loose group of 3–5 spaced 6–8 feet apart will knit into a colony on its own.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eGray Dogwood Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fresh green leaves emerge, followed in late spring by flat clusters of creamy-white flowers that hum with native bees and other pollinators.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dense green foliage builds a full privacy screen; white berries ripen on showy bright-red stalks (pedicels) by late summer.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Foliage turns rich reddish-purple while birds strip the berries — one of the top native bird-food shrubs in a Twin Cities yard.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e The red berry stalks persist after the fruit is gone, and the dense gray-stemmed thicket gives songbirds winter cover.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Minnesota Native   ✔ Pollinator-Friendly   ✔ Rain-Garden \/ Wet-Soil   ✔ Drought-Tolerant   ✔ Shade-Tolerant\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/muskingum-dogwood\"\u003eMuskingum Dogwood\u003c\/a\u003e — the low, spreading form of the same native species for the front of the thicket.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/american-hazelnut\"\u003eAmerican Hazelnut\u003c\/a\u003e — a fellow native thicket-former with edible nuts; together they make a true habitat hedgerow.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/arctic-fire-dogwood\"\u003eArctic Fire Dogwood\u003c\/a\u003e — adds glowing red winter stems where Gray Dogwood's are quiet gray.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/first-editions-fiber-optics-buttonbush\"\u003eFirst Editions Fiber Optics Buttonbush\u003c\/a\u003e — another wet-tolerant native pollinator shrub for low spots nearby.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Gray Dogwood Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you have room for a 10–15 foot suckering native and want fast informal screening, wildlife value, and a shrub that shrugs off sun, shade, wet, or dry soil, Gray Dogwood is about as foolproof as it gets in zone 4b–5a. It's not a fit for small formal beds — it spreads by suckers and wants to be a colony, so skip it where you need a tidy, stay-put specimen.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#5 Gallon","offer_id":54308747182385,"sku":null,"price":31.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/gray-dogwood.jpg?v=1779567572","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/gray-dogwood","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}