NICE! Plant of the Month
(Cornus Drummondii)
Image courtesy of Texas Native Shrubs, a collection of original photographs taken by Mr. Benny Simpson, Texas naturalist and plantsman extraordinaire, and long time researcher at the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station in Dallas.
Description:
A member of the Dogwood family (cornaceae), Roughleaf Dogwoods are shrubs or small trees whose opposite leaves are deciduous and have prominent veins that curve away from the midrib and then curve back something like parentheses ( ). This plant is thicket-forming and usually grows 10-15 feet tall. Creamy white blooms measuring 3 inches across occur in mid spring followed by clusters of small white berries in late summer. Roughleaf Dogwood’s natural range extends from the Edwards Plateau through the eastern half of Texas and east to Florida; and grows in locations that vary from sun to shade, well drained to seasonal poor drainage, and acid to alkaline soils. The leaves turn red, maroon, mauve or pink in the fall.
Deer Resistance:
Mature Roughleaf Dogwood is considered to be deer resistant but small plants should be protected.
Planting Instructions:
Dig hole at least 2 times wider than, but the same depth as the root ball in the nursery container. Sides of the hole should be irregular, not smooth. Carefully remove plant from container, taking care not to break the root ball. Loosen exterior roots, if root bound. Plant at the same depth as the soil in the container. Do not add any soil to the top of the root ball. Adding a layer of 3-4 inches of mulch after planting is desirable.
Watering Instructions:
After planting, water the plant well is order to thoroughly soak its roots. Repeat watering a few days after planting. Water deeply every 7-10 days, checking an inch or two into soil at edge of root ball to determine soil moisture. Ship a watering after a rainfall of ½ to 1 inch.
First Fall/Winter:
Maintain this watering schedule until the first fall after planting. Reduce water during fall and winter. In a “normal” year, no watering may be necessary in fall and winter, but during a dry period, monthly watering may be desirable.
Second Spring and thereafter:
Water monthly only in periods of drought. Once established, Roughleaf Dogwood will survive with little supplemental irrigation.
NICE! Tip:
At least 40 species of birds feed on Roughleaf Dogwood. Although Roughleaf Dogwood will grow in dense shade, fruiting is heaviest when it receives at least 4 hours of direct sun. The aggressive roots make it invaluable for erosion control around a pond or on a steam bank. Because of is thicket-forming quality, Roughleaf Dogwood is an excellent choice for screening requirements.
Look for the NICE! Plant of the Month signs and information sheets on your next visit to a participating Boerne nursery. And thank you for supporting native plants by using them in your landscapes.