Members of the genus Cornus, commonly known as dogwoods, are
welcome in the home garden for their multi-season interest -- be it
flowers, fruit, foliage, and/or bark -- and their range of forms from
small trees to suckering shrubs. The dominant display, however, varies
among the species.

Dogwoods are native to cooler temperate areas of North America and
Asia. The genus includes 45-60 species, divided into subgenera about
which taxonomists disagree. The Chicago Botanic Garden's collection
includes almost 100 varieties of dogwood from 20 species (7 of which are
native) and over 2,400 plants.