Herb: Roughleaf Dogwood


Latin name: Cornus asperifolia drummondii


Synonyms: Cornus drummondii


Family: Cornaceae (Dogwood Family)



Description of the plant:



Plant:
Deciduous
Shrub

Height:
4 m
(13 feet)

Flowering:
July to
August

Habitat of Roughleaf Dogwood:

Forming thickets along roadsides, fence rows, pastures and margins of woods in rocky or clay soils. Sometimes also found in the moist soil of streambanks.

Other uses of the herb:

Sometimes used in shelterbelt plantings on the plains of N. America. Its spreading underground stems are effective in controlling soil erosion. Wood - heavy, hard, strong, durable, close grained. Used for small wooden articles.

Propagation of Roughleaf Dogwood:

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.

Cultivation of the herb:

Forming thickets along roadsides, fence rows, pastures and margins of woods in rocky or clay soils. Sometimes also found in the moist soil of streambanks.

Medicinal use of Roughleaf Dogwood:

None known

Known hazards of Cornus asperifolia drummondii:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.