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Stiff Dogwood

Cornus foemina

Last reviewed: June 2026

Stiff Dogwood (Cornus foemina)
Photo: Robert H. Mohlenbrock @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / USDA SCS. 1989. Midwest wetland flora: Field office illustrated guide to plant species. Midwest National Technical Center, Lincoln, NE. / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Light

part sun

Water

medium

Size

72"–240" H × 72"–180" W

Bloom

Apr, May, Jun

Native to

AL, AR, DE, FL and 15 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles, wasps

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Texas Blackland PrairiesWestern Gulf Coastal PlainSouth Central Plains

Stiff dogwood is a native shrub that produces clusters of small white flowers in late spring and early summer. It grows into a substantial rounded shrub that can reach 6-20 feet tall and wide, making it suitable for larger landscape areas where you need screening or background planting.

In an HOA neighborhood

Stiff Dogwood takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: moderate. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

  • Extremely large size inappropriate for most residential settings
  • Can appear unstructured and wild
  • May be viewed as too informal for front yard landscaping

Wildlife value

The flowers attract bees, beetles, and wasps during the blooming period from April through June. Birds often feed on the berries that follow the flowers in late summer.

Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

Does Stiff Dogwood fit your yard? Open it in Pollinator Patch to check it against your sun, soil, and HOA-conscious filters.

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