Dogwood (Cornus spp.)

Fundamental Facts:

HARDINESS: Zones 5 to 9
PREFERRED SOIL pH: Acid
PREFERRED SOIL TYPE: Moist, well-drained
PREFERRED LIGHT: Partial shade
ATTRIBUTES: White or pink Rowers, fall color, red fruits; for woodlands, specimens
SEASON OF INTEREST: Spring and fall
FAVORITES: Flowering dogwood, Kousa dogwood. Pacific dogwood, and cultivars
QUIRKS: Young trees are slow to develop and flower
GOOD NEIGHBORS : Azalea, hellebore, redbud, serviceberry, spring-flowering bulbs
WHERE IT GROWS BEST : In slightly acidic soil and partial shade with good air circulation
LONGEVITY: Lives 100 years or more
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Anthracnose, dogwood borers
SOURCE: Nursery plants
DIMENSIONS: 30 to 50 ft (9.1-15.2m) tall, to 30 ft (9.1 m) wide

Dogwood in the Landscape

In spring and early summer the buds of dogwood trees pop open into showy white or pink bracts that light up the landscape for weeks. The trees put on a second show in fall, when their leaves turn a rich red. Finally, after the last leaves flutter to the ground, the trees continue to draw the landscape with pink, or white flowers.

Dogwoods are native woodland trees that shine in such a setting. Stand them before a forest of dark evergreens, pair them with serviceberry or redbud, or underplant them with spring-flowering bulbs or dwarf azaleas. These small trees are also at home in foundation plantings, at the corner of a house, or alongside a driveway.

Selecting Dogwoods

Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) is an excellent North American native. At 30 ft (9.1 m) tall, with branches arranged in layers, flowering dogwood has saucerlike blossoms. It is available in many varieties offering a range of flower and leaf colors and is hardy to Zone 5. 'Cloud Nine' has large white flowers that float on the branch tips, while 'Cherokee Chief bears bright, deep rose blossoms. Both 'Rainbow' and 'Welchii' have leaves variegated in cream to yellow and red. Flowering dogwoods in the wild are prone to anthracnose, a serious fungal disease. They are less susceptible in a home landscape, but consequently, a similar but disease-resistant Asian species has become a popular substitute. Kousa dogwood (C. kousa) blooms later and has white blossoms with pointed petals on erect branches. Reaching 25 ft (7.6 m), it is more tolerant of dry soil and is often grown as a multi-trunked tree. Another reliable North American native is the Pacific dogwood (C. nuttallii), which can reach SO ft (15.2 m).This hefty, pyramidal tree, hardy to Zone 7, does best in a cool, moist site and needs frequent watering when grown in sun.

Growing Dogwood

Dogwoods are so irresistible that you might be tempted to buy one no matter what conditions exist in your yard. But select a site where the roots will be cool and shaded, in well-drained, acid soil, while the foliage receives light and good air circulation. Plant in spring and set the tree in a hole no deeper than it grew in the nursery container. Water as needed to keep the soil moist during drought and spread a 3 in (7.6 cm) thick layer of leaf mold or other organic mulch over the root zone to conserve water. Dogwoods are slow to develop and bloom, so be patient. Flowering dogwoods grown in deep shade with poor air circulation are at risk for anthracnose, which causes dark spots to form on leaves and weakens the tree. Those stressed by dry soil and excessive sun may be attacked by dogwood borers, which girdle trees by chewing small holes in the trunk. Both problems can be prevented by planting dogwoods in partial shade in a spot that is easy to irrigate.

Prune off dead branches, below borer holes, and dispose of them. Give the tree two seasons to regain its strength; replace a tree that is obviously dying. Dogwoods require no other pruning and are otherwise maintenance free.