The Dawes Arboretum

Common name: Bretschneider dogwood

Family: Cornaceae (dogwood family)

Synonym: Swida bretschneideri

Distribution: China

Hardiness: USDA Zone 5

Life form: Deciduous shrub/Subshrub

Comments: This deciduous, large flowering shrub or small tree can grow up to 20' tall, spreading by root suckers. New shoots are reddish colored. Leaves are dull green above, gray-green beneath. Flowers produced in June are creamy white in large cymes. Fruit is a blue-black berry and is eaten by birds. Fall color is purplish red. Use in the shrub border or to attract wildlife. Site in full sun in moist, well-drained soil.