Like other thicket-forming dogwood species, gray dogwood is fantastic for songbirds as it provides ideal nesting habitat, cover, and produces abundant berries. The white berries develop in July at the ends of bright red branches and are quite showy. The larvae and caterpillars of numerous beetles, moths, butterflies, and others use gray dogwood as a food source and, in turn, become another food source for birds. The dome-shaped clusters of small, white flowers also attract numerous pollinating insects.

Other wildlife that utilize gray dogwood include deer, raccoons, squirrels, rabbits, turkeys, grouse and many others. Gray dogwood grows quickly and spreads from underground rhizomes, so severe damage from wildlife browse is negligible in most instances.

Uses: Wildlife, fall color (burgandy/purple), wet soil, hedgerow

Bloom time: May - July

Height: 10 to 15 feet

Space: 10 to 15 feet

Sun: Full sun to medium shade

Moisture: Average to moist