Quick answer: Stiff dogwood (Cornus foemina) is native to 12 states. What's commonly sold under this name is the true wild species. No live listing of the true species was found as of 16 Sep 2026.
Photo: Хомелка, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA-3.0)
Where it's native
Listed in the directory as native to these states. Click a state for its full native-plant guide.
Growing conditions
From the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Database.
| Sun | Sun, Part Shade |
|---|---|
| Water | High |
| Soil | Wet, swampy, streambanks |
| Bloom | Apr-May |
| Height | 10-20 ft |
| Wildlife value | Fruit eaten by birds, larval host for Spring Azure |
Buying it
No live listing of the true wild species was found as of 16 Sep 2026 — that means our last search didn't surface one, not that the plant is unavailable.
No live seed or plant listing found as of 16 Sep 2026. That means our last search didn't surface one — not that the plant is unavailable. Try a regional native-plant nursery.
Quick answers about Stiff dogwood
Where is Stiff dogwood native?
Stiff dogwood (Cornus foemina) is native to 12 states across the Midwest and South. Check your state's page in this directory for the full list of plants native where you live.
When does Stiff dogwood bloom?
Stiff dogwood blooms Apr-May. Exact timing shifts a few weeks with latitude and elevation.
What growing conditions does Stiff dogwood need?
Light: Sun, Part Shade. Water: High. Soil: Wet, swampy, streambanks. Mature height: 10-20 ft.
Is Stiff dogwood good for pollinators and wildlife?
Yes. Wildlife value: Fruit eaten by birds, larval host for Spring Azure.
Is Stiff dogwood deer-resistant or drought-tolerant?
Stiff dogwood is handles wet soil.
Where can I buy Stiff dogwood?
We haven't found an online listing of the true wild species as of 16 Sep 2026. A regional native-plant nursery or native seed company is your best source; ask for Cornus foemina by its scientific name.
Similar native plants
Native plants that share growing conditions or range with Stiff dogwood.
- Water oak Quercus nigra
- Southern arrowwood Viburnum dentatum
- Southern wax myrtle Morella cerifera
- White turtlehead Chelone glabra
- Bald cypress Taxodium distichum
- Steeplebush Spiraea tomentosa
Also listed under
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