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| ## swamp dogwood {#swamp-dogwood .Title-Header}                       |
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| *Cornus foemina* P. Mill.                                             |
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| Plant Symbol = COFO                                                   |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program

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##### ![Color image of Swamp Dogwood (Cornus foemina)](media/image2.png){width="1.8173228346456693in" height="3.052755905511811in"}

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##### Uses {#uses .Header-3}

*Wildlife*: Fruits are eaten by several species of birds including
quail, catbirds, mockingbirds, robins, and brown thrashers.

*Recreation and Beautification*: Excellent landscape tree for its very
attractive form and profuse white flowers. Frequently used for massing
or naturalizing, screen and border.

##### Status {#status .Header-3}

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status (e.g. threatened or endangered
species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

##### Description {#description .Header-3}

*Cornus foemina* P. Mill., swamp dogwood, is primarily found along the
coastal plain from eastern Virginia to central Florida, west to
Louisiana and north to southeastern Missouri. It is a deciduous small
tree to large shrub, growing to 15 ft in height, with multiple trunks, 4
inches in diameter. Its bark is thick and smooth, frequently furrowed
with shallow ridges exposing gray inner bark. The plant's leaves are
opposite and oval-shaped, with smooth margins. Flowers are creamy white,
loose, and small; they occur in flat topped clusters without showy
bracts. Fruits are small, open clusters of bluish to purple drupes
(fleshy, one-seeded fruits).

##### Adaptation and Distribution {#adaptation-and-distribution .Header-3}

Swamp dogwood generally grows in swampy, low wetland habitats, barrier
islands, and along streams, riverbanks, marshes and creeks. It is found
growing along ditches on the second road back from the ocean at Emerald
Isle and found to exhibit moderate salt tolerance.

Swamp dogwood is distributed throughout most of the southeast United
States. For a current distribution map, please consult the Plant Profile
page for this species on the PLANTS Website.

##### Establishment {#establishment .Header-3}

Like most dogwoods, this species can be grown easily from seeds
collected from mature, native trees and from softwood cuttings. Seeds at
maturity must be either planted immediately or prechilled. Seeds sown in
nursery beds should be covered with ¼ to ½ inch of soil and mulched
during the winter.

##### Management {#management .Header-3}

Plant in moist soils in full sun to partial shade as it is tolerant to
wet and/or low fertility soils. It requires little maintenance in
naturalized settings. When used for massing, pruning to within a few
inches of the ground every few years promotes fullness.

##### Pests and Potential Problems {#pests-and-potential-problems .Header-3}

This plant has no serious insects and diseases except occasional
infestation by scale insects and leaf spot.

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) {#cultivars-improved-and-selected-materials-and-area-of-origin .Header-3}

None recommended. Plants are not readily available from nurseries.

##### Prepared By & Species Coordinator:  {#prepared-by-species-coordinator .Header-3}

USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program

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##### Edited: 01Feb2002 JLK; 25may06jsp {#edited-01feb2002-jlk-25may06jsp .Header-4}

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

*The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in
all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual
orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases
apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means for communication of program information (Braille,
large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA\'s [TARGET
Center](http://www.usda.gov/oo/target.htm) at 202-720-2600 (voice and
TDD).*

*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice or
TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.*

*Read about [Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Convervation
Service](http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/civilrights/).*