Cornus racemosa
Cornus racemosa
Safety & Hazards
None known
Cultivation Details
Cornus racemosa is a very cold-hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to around -25°c when dormant[1]. Grows best in a sunny position, though it tolerates moderate shade[2].Prefers a rich, moist, well-drained soil, but will also grow on mineral-rich limestone bedrock and rock outcroppings[2]. Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, including both moist and somewhat dry soils[1]. Tolerant of poor soils[1]. Plants are tolerant of urban pollution[1]. The plant commences flowering when around 4 - 5 years old and the stems are around 70cm tall[3, 2]. The plant will spread freely to form thickets if root suckers are not removed[1].
Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame or in an outdoors seedbed if there is sufficient seed[4, 5]. The seed must be separated from the fruit flesh since this contains germination inhibitors[4, 6]. Stored seed should be cold stratified for 3 - 4 months and sown as early as possible in the year[6]. Scarification may also help as may a period of warm stratification before the cold stratification[4, 6]. Germination, especially of stored seed, can be very slow, taking 18 months or more[6]. 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, mid summer 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[7]. Layering of new growth in early summer/July. Takes 9 months[7]. Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2026-02-21. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Cornus+racemosa>
Pollinators
Insects
References
- [1]KemperCentreForHomeGardeningPlantFinder — Missouri Botanical Garden · http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/ ↩︎Basic cultivation details, plant uses, habitat etc for several thousand species of plants, mainly from the temperate zone.
- [2]Fire Effects Information System — http://www.feis-crs.org/feis/ ↩︎An on-line information site with comprehensive information on over 1,100 species of plant. Mainly developed to supply information on the effects of fire on plants and animals, it also contains a wealth of other information on the plants
- [3]Flora of N. America — http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/ ↩︎An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses.
- [4]Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. — McMillan-Browse. P. · Grower Books · 1985 · ISBN 0-901361-21-6 ↩︎Does not deal with many species but it is very comprehensive on those that it does cover. Not for casual reading.
- [5]The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. — Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. · Athens Ga. Varsity Press · 1987 · ISBN 0942375009 ↩︎A very detailed book on propagating trees. Not for the casual reader.
- [6]Growing from Seed. Volume 4. — Bird. R. (Editor) · Thompson and Morgan. · 1990 · ISBN - ↩︎Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation. A good article on Yuccas, one on Sagebrush (Artemesia spp) and another on Chaerophyllum bulbosum.
- [7]Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. — Sheat. W. G. · MacMillan and Co · 1948 · ISBN - ↩︎A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.
- [8]Native American Ethnobotany — Moerman. D. · Timber Press. Oregon. · 1998 · ISBN 0-88192-453-9 ↩︎Very comprehensive but terse guide to the native uses of plants. Excellent bibliography, fully referenced to each plant, giving a pathway to further information. Not for the casual reader.