Dogwood, Bloodtwig dogwood
Cornus sanguinea

Family: Cornaceae

What it is like

Cornus sanguinea is a deciduous Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft 10in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen in September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 3

Where it is found

Mixed woods, scrub and hedgerows, especially on calcareous soils.

Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia to Spain, east to Sicily and Greece. Rare in S.W. Asia..

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

Fruit - raw or cooked. A bitter flavour, it can also have an emetic effect on the body. It is not worthwhile. The fruit is about 8mm in diameter. An oil is obtained from the seed, it is edible when refined.

Oil: Oil

Medicine

Rating: 1

The bark is astringent and febrifuge. It is used to treat fevers. The leaves are sometimes used externally as an astringent. The fruit is emetic.

Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.

Emetic: Induces vomiting.

Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.

Other

Rating:

The seed contains 45% of a non-drying oil, it is used in soap making and lighting. A non-drying oil is also obtained from the pericarp, it is used for lighting. The pericarp contains 19 - 35% oil. A greenish-blue dye is obtained from the fruit. The young stems are very flexible and are used in basketry. Wood - tough, hard. Used for small items such as tool handles, turnery etc. A good quality charcoal is obtained from the wood, the wood also makes an excellent fuel.

Basketry: Plant used in making baskets and other items such as chairs. Includes plants that are only used as an ornamental addition.

Charcoal: Used for fuel, drawing, deodorant, filter, fertilizer etc.

Dye: Plants that provide dyes.

Fuel: Usually wood, plant materials that have been mentioned as being a good fuel.

Hedge: Plants that can be grown as hedges.

Oil: Vegetable oils have many uses, as lubricants, lighting, soap and paint making, waterproofing etc. This does not include the edible oils unless they are also mentioned as having other uses.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

Hedge: Hedge

Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent

How it is grown

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in any soil of good or moderate fertility, ranging from acid to shallow chalk. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Plants are relatively shade tolerant, though they are not happy when growing in dense shade. They grow badly when exposed to strong cold winds. Plants are hardy to about -25°c. The flowers have a rather unpleasant smell to most people, though they are attractive to insects. Plants have a suckering habit and can quickly form dense thickets. They can be coppiced regularly and will throw up long straight stems after being cut back. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame or in an outdoors seedbed if there is sufficient seed. The seed must be separated from the fruit flesh since this contains germination inhibitors. Stored seed should be cold stratified for 3 - 4 months and sown as early as possible in the year. Scarification may also help as may a period of warm stratification before the cold stratification. Germination, especially of stored seed, can be very slow, taking 18 months or more. Prick out the seedlings of cold-frame sown seeds into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow the plants on for their first winter in a greenhouse, planting out in the spring after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe side shoots, July/August in a frame. Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, taken with a heel if possible, autumn in a cold frame. High percentage. Layering of new growth in June/July. Takes 9 months.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Hedge;

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 4-8

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Contrary to some reports, the fruit is not poisonous, but the leaves can cause skin irritations to sensitive people.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Swida sanguinea. Thelycrania sanguinea.