Blue Fruited Dogwood

Description

Blue-Fruited Dogwood is a vigorous, multi-stemmed native shrub that brings year-round interest to wetland edges and woodland margins. In late spring to early summer, it produces clusters of creamy white flowers that attract a wide range of pollinators. Through summer, the dark green, slightly glossy leaves create a dense and elegant canopy. In late summer, the blooms mature into striking clusters of deep blue fruit held on red stems—one of the most beautiful fruit displays among native shrubs. In fall, the foliage turns shades of burgundy and purple, adding rich seasonal color. Adaptable and wildlife-friendly, Blue-Fruited Dogwood is a durable, handsome choice for moist and naturalized landscapes.

Ecological Value

Cornus obliqua provides nectar and pollen for native bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, and its fruit is an important food source for more than 40 bird species, including thrushes, catbirds, and cedar waxwings. The dense branching offers shelter and nesting habitat for songbirds and small mammals, while its fibrous root system helps stabilize soil and prevent erosion along streambanks. It also serves as a host plant for several butterfly and moth species, including the Spring Azure and the Red-Spotted Purple. Ecologically, it plays a vital role in riparian and wetland ecosystems by supporting both terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity.

Ideal Growing Conditions

Blue-Fruited Dogwood thrives in full sun to partial shade and medium to wet soils, naturally occurring along streams, ponds, and wet meadows. It prefers rich, loamy or silty soils high in organic matter and can tolerate seasonal flooding. While most vigorous in moist conditions, it adapts well to upland soils with consistent moisture. Once established, it forms dense colonies through suckering, making it an excellent shrub for erosion control, habitat restoration, and large-scale native plantings.

Landscape Uses

Ideal for rain gardens, wetland edges, woodland borders, and naturalized plantings, Blue-Fruited Dogwood provides beauty, structure, and exceptional wildlife value. It pairs beautifully with Winterberry, Buttonbush, and Swamp Milkweed for a vibrant, pollinator- and bird-friendly composition. The contrasting blue fruit and red stems add ornamental appeal well into autumn, making it both a functional and decorative species for wet or seasonally moist areas. Hardy, adaptable, and ecologically rich, Blue-Fruited Dogwood is one of the most valuable native shrubs for sustaining biodiversity in riparian and lowland landscapes.

Map Color Key

	Species present in state and native		Species present and not rare
	Species not present in state		Species present and rare

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