Cornus nuttallii

RHS Plant Profile
mountain dogwood

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mountain dogwood RHS

Other common names

Pacific dogwood

Synonyms

Benthamidia nuttallii

Trees

A conical deciduous tree with oval mid-green leaves to 12cm long, sometimes turning red in autumn. In late spring, small purple and green flowers in dense flowerheads 1.5cm across are surrounded by 4-6 white or pink-tinged bracts, 4-8cm long. Spherical orange-red fruits follow

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

8-12 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
4-8 metres
Max Height
8-12 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Cornaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus
Cornus can be deciduous shrubs or trees, or creeping, woody-based perennials, some with brightly coloured young stems. Tiny flowers are borne in dense clusters, sometimes with showy bracts. Many have fine autumn colour
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
W N America

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained neutral to acid soil in sun or part shade. For more advice, see flowering dogwood cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed in autumn, or stratify and sow in spring or propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden

Pruning

Pruning group 1 but best with minimal pruning

Pests

Generally pest-free but may be susceptible to horse chestnut scale

Diseases

May be susceptible to cornus anthracnose and honey fungus