A663: Cornus ormonde

Beautiful Cornus ‘Ormonde’ is always the first of our bracting dogwoods to flower at Queenswood .

A large shrub with a spreading habit, this Dogwood is a North American hybrid of C. Florida and C. Nuttallii, and is considered hardy if sheltered from cold winds.

The Dogwood bracts of this shrub have four, large, showy modified leaves - often mistaken for petals - which surround the tiny, green flowers crowded into a dense head in the centre. They appear in spring, commonly in white, acting as a "collar" that protects the blooms. Its spring flowers attract a wide range of insects seeking pollen and nectar, including bumblebees and honeybees, hoverflies, Muscid flies and other small flying insects. Butterflies such as Red admiral, Painted lady, Comma, Small tortoiseshell, Brimstone and Peacock are all likely to visit Dogwood for its nectar, along with adult moths whose caterpillars rely on dogwood as a source of food.

Mid-green leaves turn orange, red or purple in autumn and its berries are eaten by birds such as thrushes, blackbirds, and finches. Dogwood also provides shelter for various small mammals.

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6 Figure Grid SO505514