Roundleaf dogwood (Cornus rugosa) is a large shrub or small tree that occurs in woodland understories and on partially shaded slopes in well-drained soil. This shade-tolerant eastern woodland native plant can be used as a backdrop in a shade garden, in the understory of a woodland or massed on a steep, shady slope. Growing over 10 feet tall, it can also be used as an informal hedge along a property boundary to provide some privacy or screening from neighboring properties.

This native dogwood provides a number of benefits to wildlife, including pollinators, which visit the large white flower heads, as well as berry-eating birds that devour the fruit in late summer. Holm Design & Consulting LLC Botanical name: Cornus rugosa
Common name: Roundleaf dogwood, round-leaved dogwood
Origin: Native to North America, from eastern Minnesota east to Maine in the north and from northern illinois eastward to Virginia in the south
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 40 degrees Celsius (USDA zones 3 to 6; find your zone) Holm Design & Consulting LLC Flowers in late May

Typical plant communities: Deciduous woodland understories, woodland edges and on slopes in upland; partial to fully shaded sites
Water requirement: Low; once established, this native shrub does not need additional watering except during extreme droughts
Light requirement: Partial sun to shade
Mature size: 10 to 15 feet tall and 8 to 12 feet wide Holm Design & Consulting LLC Benefits and tolerances: Tolerates shade and dry soil
Seasonal interest: Bright white flowers in late spring, followed by developing berries; brilliant fall color such as red, maroon, pink, coral or violet
When to plant: Spring or fall; potted plants are available from native-plant nurseries in areas where it occurs Holm Design & Consulting LLC Distinguishing traits. This native dogwood has a vase-like form, large flower heads and large leaves that give the shrub a tropical appearance. The fall foliage color includes a rainbow of options; some years the entire shrub may turn crimson red, and other years it will show pinks to purples. Holm Design & Consulting LLC Mining bees (Andrena sp.)

How to use it. Roundleaf dogwood is a large suckering shrub that forms small thickets. Plant it in the understory of trees, on shaded slopes or as an informal hedge in location with partial to full shade.

Planting notes. This native shrub is available in potted form and is usually sold in a 2-, 5- or 10-gallon container. Make sure to space the plants a minimum of 6 feet apart. Berries can be collected when ripe and replanted in prepared pots or directly in the ground. Deer will browse on the foliage, especially in the spring, so if you have a heavy deer presence, fence newly planted shrubs until established. Holm Design & Consulting LLC Pollinator notes. The large white flower heads attract a number of flower-visiting insects, including flies, beetles (such as the flower long-horn beetle seen here) and bees. Most of these visitors are interested in the flower’s pollen, especially female mining bees, like the ones shown in the previous photo.