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Are the leaves of Dogwood edible? I am planning a forest garden and already have variagated dogwood which is a doddle to propagate so I'm tempted but not if it's only use is ornamental

I don't think so - certainly no mention of edible uses on Plants for a Future if your variety is Cornus alba. However, there are a lot of species of dogwood on there and some seem to have more edible uses.

If you are thinking about the kind of plant I imagine, you may not be able to eat it but (as well as being very decorative in the winter) the stems are brilliant for weaving so you could make baskets for picking and storing other things. I've got a small specimen in my front garden that I gleaned from a bush I passed when out walking about a year ago (still small but I think it is viable) and some plants I bought recently waiting to go out in the back garden once I clear some space (Cornus alba and Cornus stolonifera).

Wulf

I don't know if anyone else has experienced this, but my dogwood's leaves seem to irritate my skin, so based on that I'm not so sure they're edible. Might just be that particular variety though.

I have no idea about dogwood leaves.... Don´t even know what they look like.........

however

lunalucy wrote:I don't know if anyone else has experienced this, but my dogwood's leaves seem to irritate my skin, so based on that I'm not so sure they're edible. Might just be that particular variety though.

I really do´nt think that follows.... you could just be allergic!

and my mum for example. just can´t handle tomatoes, without gloves on, a contact allergy excema thing..
but she´s absolutely fine to eat them! Loves them in fact!

Dogwood (Cornus sanguinea) Has many medicinal uses and I wouldn't recommend eating the leaves as they are irritant.

Here are the uses (From http://hedgerowmobile.com/dogwood.html) Febrifuge: An infusion to treat and bring down fever


An oil is obtained from the seed, it is edible when refined. Known Hazards: Contrary to some reports, the fruit is not poisonous but will encourage vomiting, the leaves can cause skin irritations to sensitive people. Medicinal Uses:Astringent; Emetic; Febrifuge. The bark is astringent and febrifuge. It is used to treat fevers. The leaves are sometimes used externally as an astringent. The fruit is emetic.

I must be a sensitive soul, lol