Pacific Dogwood

Cornus nuttallii

Pacific Dogwood

Paul Schultz from Kenmore, USA

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Cornaceae
Genus:
Cornus
Species:
Cornus nuttallii

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Tree
Height:
More than 40 ft
Light Requirements:
Full Sun, Part Shade, Shade
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
apr, may, jun, jul
Bloom Colors:
White, Pink, Yellow, Green

Native Range

United States: California, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Canada: British Columbia

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:
★★☆☆☆ Based on number of butterfly and moth species using this genus as host plant (Source: National Wildlife Federation)
Bee Keystone:
★★★★★ Based on number of native bee species using this genus for pollen and nectar (Source: National Wildlife Federation)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Dimorphic Bomolocha Moth (Hypena bijugalis), Pero mizon

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
rich, well-drained loamy soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
Prefers forested areas with organic matter

Germination Information

Pre-treatment: Two treatments can be used. 1) Seeds are soaked in a 1% hydrogen peroxide solution for 24 hours, rinsed, and placed in water for an additional 24 hours. They are then placed in fine mesh bags, layered in peat in a covered container, and refrigerated at 1 to 3 °C for 100 days. 2) Seeds are soaked in a 1% hydrogen peroxide solution for 24 hours, rinsed, and placed in water for an additional 48 hours. They are then placed in a sealed container and subjected to warm stratification at 10 °C for 10 days, followed by cold stratification at 1 to 3 °C for 90 days. Weekly checks for mold are recommended during stratification.

Establishment: Grows in full sun to part shade in average-deep, medium moisture, well-drained soils but prefers moist, rich, acidic soils in part shade. Soil texture can range from clay to sand loam. Mature plants have some drought tolerance. It has low frost tolerance but high flood tolerance. Found in western North America.

Source: npn.rngr.net