Cornus is a remarkably diverse genus, including trees (known as dogwoods) grown for their showy white flowers (actually bracts), shrubs that flower before their leaves appear, other shrubs grown for the colour of their stems in winter, and ground-covering herbaceous perennials. Many have red fruit, which can also be showy. The ones with coloured stems should be pruned close to the ground in late winter.

Cornus sericea 'Kelseyi' is an attractive small deciduous shrub that is also known as dog wood. In winter its attractive stems turn red.