Western Dogwood

Western dogwood (Cornus torreyi, Cornaceae; synonym C. occidentalis, C. sericea subsp. occidentalis) is a native deciduous shrub ranging from Alaska to California, east to Montana and Idaho. It reaches 3 to 20 feet tall with a spreading, loosely branched form. Small white flowers appear in flat-topped terminal clusters, followed by white or ivory globose fruit. Fall color is red, and stems develop red-purple coloration in sun (remaining green in shade).

Western dogwood is hardy in Zones 5a to 8b. It spreads rapidly via underground stolons or rooting branches. Disease and pest associations mirror the Cornus genus broadly. No cultivars are documented.