Description

Brown dogwood is commonly found in moist, shady places throughout the mountainous portions of the California Floristic Province. It is a robust shrub/small tree with deep green, lance-shaped leaves and smooth burgundy bark with a touch of gray. It expands with node rooting and rhizomatous suckers to form quite a patch under optimal conditions. It produces clusters of white flowers. White berries follow, as do hungry birds. Brown dogwood is tolerant of a variety of soil conditions and will accept sun and some dryness. This is a great plant for a riparian area or watered corner of the garden - any place where the gardener wants a green thicket.