Tatarian Dogwood is a rapid-growing, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub native to eastern and central Asia, prized for its creamy white flowers and showy berries tinged with blue-green. Hardy in zones 3, 7, it typically reaches 4, 6 feet tall and 5, 6 feet wide, though some sources suggest it can grow larger. The flat-topped flower clusters bloom in late spring (May to June) and occasionally flower again sporadically through early summer, followed by ornamental fruit that persists into fall. Its tolerance for both dry and wet soils, combined with low maintenance needs, makes it a reliable choice for rain gardens, hedges, and wildlife corridors.
Partial Sun
Moderate
3-7
72in H x 72in W
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Moderate
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Creamy white flowers arranged in flat-topped clusters up to 2.5 inches across emerge in late spring, sometimes continuing with sparse blooms into early summer. The subsequent berries, tinged with blue-green, provide visual interest long after flowering ends. Because it's a rapid grower with a multi-stemmed habit, young stems display the best coloration, and the plant naturally attracts birds and butterflies while resisting deer browsing.
Tatarian Dogwood thrives as a hedge plant and excels in rain gardens where its tolerance for wet soil and established drought resilience come together. Its multi-stemmed form and rapid growth make it valuable for screening and windbreaks, while its ornamental flowers and persistent berries add seasonal interest to mixed borders and native plantings.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Pruning is optional, but removing 20, 25% of the oldest stems in early spring encourages vigorous new growth and enhances stem color, the plant's most ornamental feature in some cultivars. If you wish to control the shrub's tendency to sucker and spread colonially, trim roots with a spade and remove root suckers as they emerge.
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“Cornus alba takes its common name from the Tatars and Tartars, the peoples of eastern and central Asia where this shrub grows wild. Its hardy, adaptable nature and ornamental appeal made it a natural choice for cultivation across temperate regions, where it became valued for screening, hedgerow establishment, and wildlife support.”