Common Name: Tartarian Dogwood

General Information

Cornus alba is a deciduous, wide-spreading shrub producing a thicket of erect to prostrate stems; it can grow 150 - 300cm tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a source of oil and wood. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental, where it can be used as a hedge.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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Range

Northern Europe (Russia) through northern Asia to Mongolia, Russian Far East, China and Korea

Habitat

Mixed broad-leaved and coniferous forests, mixed thickets by streams; at elevations from 600 - 1,700 metres, occasionally to 2,700 metres in China[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	3.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Cornus alba is a very cold-hardy tree, tolerating temperatures down to around -35°c when dormant[]
Succeeds in full sun or light shade[[]. An easily grown plant, it succeeds in any soil of good or moderate fertility[], though it prefers an organically rich, medium moisture, well-drained soil[]. Grows well in heavy clay soils and in dry soils. Succeeds in poorly drained soils and so is suitable for streamside plantings[].
A rampant, fast-growing species that is apt to smother neighbouring plants less vigorous than itself[].
A very ornamental plant, especially in the autumn and winter with its fruit, autumn leaf colour and coloured stems[].
There are several named varieties, selected mainly for their variegated leaves or winter stem colour[].
For the best coloured stems, the plant should be cut back hard in the spring to about 5cm from the ground to encourage plenty of new growth[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

The usually oblong, juicy fruit is bluish at first, bluish-white to white when ripe, around 8mm long with a thin layer of flesh enclosing a single large seed[]. We have seen no reports that the fruit is edible.

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

Plants can be grown to form a hedge[].

Other Uses

The seeds contain 30% oil, which is used industrially[].

The hard wood is sometimes used to make agricultural tools[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame or in an outdoors seedbed if there is sufficient seed[, ]. The seed must be separated from the fruit flesh since this contains germination inhibitors[, ]. Stored seed should be cold stratified for 3 - 4 months and sown as early as possible in the year[]. Scarification may also help as may a period of warm stratification before the cold stratification[, ]. Germination, especially of stored seed, can be very slow, taking 18 months or more[]. Prick out the seedlings of cold-frame sown seeds into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow the plants on for their first winter in a greenhouse, planting out in the spring after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe side shoots, mid summer in a frame.
Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, taken with a heel if possible, autumn in a cold frame. High percentage[].
Layering of new growth in early summer/July. Takes 9 months[].