Dwarf Dogwood Shrubs in North Carolina

Cornelian Cherry

• Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas) dogwood is hardy in USDA zones 4 through 8, and therefore a good subject for North Carolina gardens. The species, which can be grown as a large shrub or small tree, reaches 15 to 25 feet tall, with an equal spread. It features clusters of small yellow flowers in early spring, followed by red berries. A compact form, "Nana" (Cornus kousa "Nana") has the same ornamental features, but grows 3 feet tall. "Nana" might be used as a specimen plant, but the small size makes it a good choice for hedging as well.

Tree to Shrub

• Common flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) is hardy in USDA zones 5 through 8 and grows up to 20 feet tall and 25 feet wide. "Red Pygmy" (Cornus florida "Red Pygmy"), hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9, can be effectively used as a shrub. It bears red flowers and grows 3 to 7 feet tall, with a 2- to 5-foot spread. In both the species and the dwarf forms, the four-petaled flowers are followed by red fall fruits.

Red Twigs

• Some dogwood shrubs, like redosier dogwood (Cornus sericea or Cornus stolonifera), are grown for their bright red young stems, which provide winter interest, rather than for their flowers. Hardy in USDA zones 2 through 7, including much of North Carolina, redosier dogwood grows 7 to 9 feet tall, with a spread of at least 10 feet. The dwarf form, Kelsey's redosier dogwood (Cornus sericea "Kelseyi") is perfect for shrub borders, growing only 2 to 3 feet tall and slightly wider. Both the species and dwarf forms feature leaves that turn red-purple in the fall.

Dwarf Kousas

• Kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa), hardy in USDA zones 5 through 8, can be grown as a small tree or multi-stemmed shrub. Kousas normally reach 15 to 30 feet tall and wide. The plants feature four-petaled white flowers with green centers. The round, berry-like fruits are pink. Breeders have developed dwarf forms, which can be used as hedges or specimen shrubs. These include "Dwarf Pink" (Cornus kousa "Dwarf Pink"), bearing pink flowers and reaching 8 feet tall by 6 feet wide.