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Common dogwood · Cornus sanguinea

What are the pests on my Cornus sanguinea?

It is less common for this plant to suffer from major pest infestations, but it usually happens due to aphids or scale insects. Check the undersides of the leaves first for sticky residue or small clusters of insects.

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pests on a plant
Photo: Jules Verne Times Two, CC BY-SA 4.0

Check these first

  1. Examine the undersides of leaves for tiny moving insects.
  2. Look for sticky honeydew or black sooty mold on the foliage.
  3. Check the stems for small, hard bumps.

Likely causes

  1. Aphids

    Most likely

    How to tell: You see tiny green or black insects on new growth and sticky honeydew on the leaves.

    What to do: Spray the foliage with a strong stream of water to dislodge them. If they persist, apply insecticidal soap once a week for 3 weeks.

  2. Scale Insects

    Possible

    How to tell: Small brown bumps that look like scales appear on the stems and branches.

    What to do: Scrape off the bumps gently with a soft brush. Apply horticultural oil in early spring to smother any remaining eggs.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your common dogwood

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

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When to worry

Small numbers of pests are normal in a garden. Worry only if the leaves start curling or the plant shows significant stunted growth.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the plant healthy with proper watering and encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs to visit your garden.

Common dogwood: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your common dogwood and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.

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Questions people ask

Will these pests kill my dogwood?
Rarely. Most infestations are manageable and do not threaten the life of a mature shrub.
Should I use systemic pesticides?
Avoid them if possible. They can harm the beneficial pollinators that visit your dogwood flowers.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Common dogwood

Back to the Common dogwood guide

This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.