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Cornus florida

American Boxwood · Arrowwood · Dogwood · Flowering Dogwood

Family CornaceaeGenus Cornus

Bunches of glossy scarlet berries hanging among leaves turned deep red-purple, against a bright sky.
FruitNo machine-readable author provided. Koba-chan assumed (based on copyright claims).CC BY 2.5

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

The plant

Habit
shrub or treePlants of the World Online
Habit
Perennial, Shrub, TreePLANTS Database
Height
15-25 ft4.6-7.6 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread
15-30 ft4.6-9.1 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower
Gold/Yellow, Green, Pink, WhiteExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms
SpringExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Native range
Canada, lower 48 statesPLANTS Database
Hardiness zones
5-9Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Growing conditions

Sun
Full sun; Partial ShadeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil
Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), SandExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally DryExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Watering
Drought tolerance: LowPLANTS Database

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; PLANTS Database — USDA NRCS; Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension.

Worth knowing

Two sources report 8 treatments between them. All are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1998

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around November 10, 2026 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

about 3 months from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2, in 56 days.

52% germination in 14–56 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1998 · 2nd Supplement, Cornus p. 26Public domain
Show the original text
Cornus (Cornaceae). C. florida has been reinvestigated and germ. 70D(2%)-40-70D(18% on 4th d) and 40-70D(52% in 2-8 w) which is similar to that found before (2nd Ed.). The same seeds DS 1 y failed to germinate and were dead.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement, 2nd Supplement, Cornus p. 26. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1998

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around October 4, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on October 3, 2026.

  1. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

    2 germinated in this phase.

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

about 6 months from start to step 3. Germination happens during step 3, in 4 days.

18% germination in 4 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1998 · 2nd Supplement, Cornus p. 26Public domain
Show the original text
Cornus (Cornaceae). C. florida has been reinvestigated and germ. 70D(2%)-40-70D(18% on 4th d) and 40-70D(52% in 2-8 w) which is similar to that found before (2nd Ed.). The same seeds DS 1 y failed to germinate and were dead.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement, 2nd Supplement, Cornus p. 26. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 3

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around April 1, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on March 31, 2026.

  1. Clean the flesh off the seed

  2. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  4. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  5. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

about 12 months from start to step 5. Germination happens during step 5, in 10 days.

47% germination in 4–10 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Cornus p. 123Public domain
Show the original text
Cornus (Cornaceae). Seeds are always in berries so that WC was performed on all seeds before planting. Grinding ahole in the seed coat had no effect in C. florida seed was collected in October and in February. Seed collected in October germ. 40-70(41% in 2-21 d) and 40% in April in outdoor treatment from seed sown in October. When sown at 70 germination was much lower as shown by 70-40- 70(5%)-40-70(5%). When this October seed was DS 6 m at 70 or 40, germination dropped to 0-10%. The seed collected in February germ. somewhat differently as shown by 40(28%)-70(20%) and 70-40-70(43% in 2-6 d). This February collected seed tolerated DS better as shown by 40(46% in 9-10 w)-70(8%) and 70-40-70(47% in 4-10 d) for seed DS 6 m at 40 and 40-70(29%) and 70(none over 5 cycles) for seed DS 6 m at 70.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Cornus p. 123. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 4

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around October 2, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on October 1, 2026.

  1. Clean the flesh off the seed

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  4. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

about 6 months from start to step 4. Germination happens during step 4, in 6 days.

43% germination in 2–6 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Cornus p. 123Public domain
Show the original text
Cornus (Cornaceae). Seeds are always in berries so that WC was performed on all seeds before planting. Grinding ahole in the seed coat had no effect in C. florida seed was collected in October and in February. Seed collected in October germ. 40-70(41% in 2-21 d) and 40% in April in outdoor treatment from seed sown in October. When sown at 70 germination was much lower as shown by 70-40- 70(5%)-40-70(5%). When this October seed was DS 6 m at 70 or 40, germination dropped to 0-10%. The seed collected in February germ. somewhat differently as shown by 40(28%)-70(20%) and 70-40-70(43% in 2-6 d). This February collected seed tolerated DS better as shown by 40(46% in 9-10 w)-70(8%) and 70-40-70(47% in 4-10 d) for seed DS 6 m at 40 and 40-70(29%) and 70(none over 5 cycles) for seed DS 6 m at 70.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Cornus p. 123. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 5

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Sow around October 2027 — a date the source gives, not one counted back from a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on October 2026.

  1. Clean the flesh off the seed

  2. Sow outdoors and leave it

    Sown outdoors in October; up in April.

No stated waiting before sowing. Then 180 days to germinate.

40% germination in 180 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Cornus p. 123Public domain
Show the original text
Cornus (Cornaceae). Seeds are always in berries so that WC was performed on all seeds before planting. Grinding ahole in the seed coat had no effect in C. florida seed was collected in October and in February. Seed collected in October germ. 40-70(41% in 2-21 d) and 40% in April in outdoor treatment from seed sown in October. When sown at 70 germination was much lower as shown by 70-40- 70(5%)-40-70(5%). When this October seed was DS 6 m at 70 or 40, germination dropped to 0-10%. The seed collected in February germ. somewhat differently as shown by 40(28%)-70(20%) and 70-40-70(43% in 2-6 d). This February collected seed tolerated DS better as shown by 40(46% in 9-10 w)-70(8%) and 70-40-70(47% in 4-10 d) for seed DS 6 m at 40 and 40-70(29%) and 70(none over 5 cycles) for seed DS 6 m at 70.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Cornus p. 123. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 6

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around June 19, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on June 18, 2026.

  1. Clean the flesh off the seed

  2. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 days

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  4. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

about 9 months from start to step 4. Germination happens during step 4; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

29% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Cornus p. 123Public domain
Show the original text
Cornus (Cornaceae). Seeds are always in berries so that WC was performed on all seeds before planting. Grinding ahole in the seed coat had no effect in C. florida seed was collected in October and in February. Seed collected in October germ. 40-70(41% in 2-21 d) and 40% in April in outdoor treatment from seed sown in October. When sown at 70 germination was much lower as shown by 70-40- 70(5%)-40-70(5%). When this October seed was DS 6 m at 70 or 40, germination dropped to 0-10%. The seed collected in February germ. somewhat differently as shown by 40(28%)-70(20%) and 70-40-70(43% in 2-6 d). This February collected seed tolerated DS better as shown by 40(46% in 9-10 w)-70(8%) and 70-40-70(47% in 4-10 d) for seed DS 6 m at 40 and 40-70(29%) and 70(none over 5 cycles) for seed DS 6 m at 70.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Cornus p. 123. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 7

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around June 19, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on June 18, 2026.

  1. Clean the flesh off the seed

  2. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  4. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

about 9 months from start to step 4. Germination happens during step 4; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

29% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Cornus p. 123Public domain
Show the original text
Cornus (Cornaceae). Seeds are always in berries so that WC was performed on all seeds before planting. Grinding ahole in the seed coat had no effect in C. florida seed was collected in October and in February. Seed collected in October germ. 40-70(41% in 2-21 d) and 40% in April in outdoor treatment from seed sown in October. When sown at 70 germination was much lower as shown by 70-40- 70(5%)-40-70(5%). When this October seed was DS 6 m at 70 or 40, germination dropped to 0-10%. The seed collected in February germ. somewhat differently as shown by 40(28%)-70(20%) and 70-40-70(43% in 2-6 d). This February collected seed tolerated DS better as shown by 40(46% in 9-10 w)-70(8%) and 70-40-70(47% in 4-10 d) for seed DS 6 m at 40 and 40-70(29%) and 70(none over 5 cycles) for seed DS 6 m at 70.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Cornus p. 123. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 8

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 15, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Clean the flesh off the seed

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    20 germinated in this phase.

Steps after step 2 run on after germination.

Germination happens during step 2; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

28% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Cornus p. 123Public domain
Show the original text
Cornus (Cornaceae). Seeds are always in berries so that WC was performed on all seeds before planting. Grinding ahole in the seed coat had no effect in C. florida seed was collected in October and in February. Seed collected in October germ. 40-70(41% in 2-21 d) and 40% in April in outdoor treatment from seed sown in October. When sown at 70 germination was much lower as shown by 70-40- 70(5%)-40-70(5%). When this October seed was DS 6 m at 70 or 40, germination dropped to 0-10%. The seed collected in February germ. somewhat differently as shown by 40(28%)-70(20%) and 70-40-70(43% in 2-6 d). This February collected seed tolerated DS better as shown by 40(46% in 9-10 w)-70(8%) and 70-40-70(47% in 4-10 d) for seed DS 6 m at 40 and 40-70(29%) and 70(none over 5 cycles) for seed DS 6 m at 70.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Cornus p. 123. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

Germination trials

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials

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