Roughleaf Dogwood (Cornus drummondii) is in the Dogwood family family (Cornaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,251 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.
Nationally it blooms mainly from April to May, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Roughleaf Dogwood: observations by month (U.S.)
About Roughleaf Dogwood
Cornus drummondii, commonly known as the roughleaf dogwood, is a small deciduous tree that is native primarily to the Great Plains and Midwestern regions of the United States. It is also found around the Mississippi River. It is uncommon in the wild, and is mostly found around forest borders. The roughleaf dogwood is used as a buffer strip around parking lots, in the median of highways and near the decks and patios of homes. It can...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Roughleaf Dogwood by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 826 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Oklahoma | 114 | May | May–May |
| Kansas | 81 | May | May–Jun |
| Missouri | 32 | May | May–Jun |
| Louisiana | 31 | April | Apr–May |
| Mississippi | 31 | May | Apr–May |
| Nebraska | 24 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Arkansas | 22 | May | May–May |
| Kentucky | 19 | June | May–Jun |
| Tennessee | 17 | May | Apr–May |
| Illinois | 15 | May | May–Jun |
| Indiana | 15 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Ohio | 15 | June | May–Jun |
| Alabama | 6 | May | May–May |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (Dogwood family)
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Roughleaf Dogwood?
Nationally, April has the most observations, with the main season from April to May.
Where is Roughleaf Dogwood most often seen?
The most observations come from Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas.