Common dogwood

Profile

Family

Cornaceae

Habit

Shrub

Height

3 m

Spread

3.5 m

Growth

medium

Lifespan

50 years

First yield

after 4 years

Hardiness

zone 5–7

Shade tolerance

partial shade

Soil

Sand, Silt, Loam, Clay

Soil moisture

semi-dry – very wet

pH

5.6 – 7.6

Synonyms

Swida sanguinea. Thelycrania sanguinea.

Uses

Edible: The fruit can be consumed raw or cooked. It tastes bitter and can cause nausea. Consumption is not recommended. The fruit is about 8 mm in diameter. An oil is obtained from the seeds, which is edible after refining.

Medicinal: The fruit is used in medicine similarly to Cornus officinalis (true cornelian cherry). This includes: Shan Zhu Yu has been used in Chinese herbal medicine for at least 2000 years. It is a stabilising and binding herb mainly used to relieve heavy menstrual bleeding and unusually active body fluids such as heavy sweating, increased urination, spermatorrhoea and premature ejaculation. Like all herbs that inhibit the discharge of body fluids (including excessive ones), it prolongs or worsens symptoms if used without strengthening or detoxifying herbs. It is therefore commonly used in combination with herbs such as Rehmannia glutinosa (gluten herb) and is part of the 'Eight-Ingredient Pill' used in China to strengthen the yang of the loins. The fruit is antibacterial, antifungal, blood-pressure-lowering, tumour-inhibiting, astringent, diuretic, liver-strengthening and tonic. The fruit is used without the kernel as a decoction to treat arthritis, fever and a variety of other complaints. It is used for senile cold, diabetes, cystitis, tinnitus etc. The fruit is antibacterial and inhibits the growth of Bacillus dysenteriae and staphylococci. It is harvested fully ripe and dried for later use. The stem bark is astringent, antimalarial and tonic. The plant is antibacterial, diuretic, blood-pressure-lowering and a urinary-tract disinfectant.

Other uses: The seed contains 45% of a non-drying oil and is used for soap-making and lighting purposes. A non-drying oil is also obtained from the fruit peel (pericarp), which is likewise used for lighting purposes. The fruit peel contains 19–35% oil. A greenish-blue dye is obtained from the fruit. The young stems are very flexible and are used for basketry. The wood is tough and hard. It is used for small items such as tool handles, turnery etc. High-quality charcoal can be produced from the wood; it is also excellent as fuel.

Growing

This easy-care plant thrives on all moderately to well-fertile soils, from acid to shallow chalky. It also grows well in heavy clay soils. The plants are relatively shade-tolerant but prefer dense shade. Strong, cold winds harm them. The plants are hardy to about -25°C. The flowers smell rather unpleasant to most people but are attractive to insects. The plants produce runners and can rapidly form dense thickets. Regular pruning is possible, and the plants produce long, straight shoots after pruning. Plants of this genus are particularly resistant to honey fungus.

Propagation

Seed – best sown directly after ripening in a cold frame, or, if enough seed is available, sown outdoors. The seeds must be separated from the fruit pulp, since the pulp contains germination inhibitors. Stored seed should be given 3–4 months of cold stratification and sown as early in the year as possible. Scarification or a period of warm stratification before cold stratification may improve germination. Germination, especially of stored seed, can be very slow and take 18 months or more. Prick out the seedlings grown in the cold frame into individual pots as soon as they are large enough and overwinter in the greenhouse. They can be planted out in spring after the last frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe side shoots, July/August in a cold frame. Cuttings of mature wood of the current year, preferably with a heel, in autumn in a cold frame. High success rate. Layers of new shoots, June/July. Takes 9 months.

Origin & habitat

Mixed woodlands, scrub and hedgerows, particularly on calcareous soils.

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