Cornus alba Seeds | Tatarian Dogwood
LATIN NAME: Cornus alba
COMMON NAME: Tatarian Dogwood
Plant Profile
A distinctive member of its genus, Tatarian Dogwood (Cornus alba) is a deciduous shrub. It spreads quickly by suckering roots into a dense thicket, and it stands bitterest cold and wet, rich soils well. Give it full sun and deep, fertile ground. For the small amount of care it requires, the return is remarkable.
Science & Biotechnology
Botanists studying the Cornus group regularly include Cornus alba in comparative work, and the species also appears in horticultural trials aimed at gardeners and growers. The genus Cornus is also of interest in plant research, as dogwoods are a distinctive and ancient group of flowering plants, and berries and bark of some species have traditional uses. With present-day seed handling, raising this species well within the reach of any careful grower.
Uses & Benefits
Tatarian Dogwood brings genuine presence to the garden and earns its keep across the growing season. Ecologically, red-barked dogwood is a generous shrub. Its white flowers feed bees and other pollinators, its berries feed birds and small mammals through late summer, and its dense growth gives year-round shelter for wildlife. Its economic value lies mainly in ornamental horticulture. Routine care after establishment is refreshingly light.
Cornelian cherry fruits, Shan Zhu Yu, are a classical Chinese astringent tonic herb and a tart, vitamin-rich fruit for preserves; the genus’s iridoid glycosides, loganin and morroniside, are studied for kidney-protective effects.
Growing from Seed
Seed is the natural starting point for Tatarian Dogwood, and the process is uncomplicated. Growing red-barked dogwood from seed is easy and gives good results. In spring, bring pots to a bright spot and keep them moist. Sow the seeds evenly over the surface and cover lightly in a loose, well-drained seed compost, keep the sowing evenly moist, and give the pot or tray full sun. Transplant the sturdiest seedlings to their permanent spots and let them develop without disturbance.
Our Take
Its long record of traditional use, described above, gives the plant a story beyond ornament. Being a deciduous shrub, it asks for a permanent spot and repays it yearly. The essentials are simple: full sun, drainage and patience while it establishes.
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