The flowering dogwood is one of our most beautiful ornamental trees. Dogwoods offer us a spectacular floral display in spring, light shade in summer, brilliant red fall foliage and berries, and interesting form in the winter landscape.

Success with flowering dogwoods depends on good cutural practices.

1. Begin by selecting a healthy nursery grown tree.
2. Select a proper planting site. Dogwoods prefer to be planted in a lightly shaded location. They will tolerate full sun, as long as they are supplied with ample moisture. In moderate shade, they will produce fewer flowers. Dogwoods must be planted in well-drained soil, in an area with good air circulation that allows the foliage to remain dry.
3. Take time to prepare your soil before planting. Dogwoods flourish in slightly acidic, cool, moist, well-drained loam with plenty of organic matter.
4. Mulch 3-4 inches deep, in a 3’ circle around the base of the tree to help retain moisture, and keep the roots cool. Do not allow the mulch to be in contact with the trunk of the tree.
5. Water slowly and deeply as needed, early in the day until the tree is well established and during periods of drought for the next several years. Do not wet the foliage.
6. Annual pruning is generally not needed. Prune after flowering to control size and shape, and to remove any dead or diseased wood.
7. Be careful with lawnmowers and trimmers. Do not cause physical injury to the base of the tree. Wrap the trunk with protective tree wrap for the first year after planting.
8. Fertilize only as needed based on soil analysis. Control dogwood pests.

Healthy, vigorous, well cared for trees are far more resistant to disease and insect infestation than trees under stress, you will be rewarded for your extra effort by year round beauty.

White Flowering Dogwood (cornus florida)

Slow growing, low branched ornamental tree with a horizontal spreading branching habit. Round buds open to large white flowers in May before foliage appears. Bright red berries in small clusters August-october will attract birds. Deep green leaves tum red-reddish purple in autumn. Plant in sun or part shade, in moist, well-drained soil high in organic matter. Mulch 3-4” deep around the base of the tree to help retain moisture. Keep mulch away from the trunk. Height 25’.

Cornus Florida Cultivars

• Cloud 9
  Compact, slow growing, with a spreading growth habit. Bears a profusion of large pure white flowers in May, before foliage. Prolific bloomer at an early age.
• Cherokee Chief
  Vigorous, upright with a straight central leader and uniform branching habit. Nonfading rich red blossoms in May. New leaves emerge bright red, mature to deep green in summer, and turn brilliant scarlet in fall.
• Cherokee Princess
  Upright, fast growing. Heavy, reliable, early bloomer. Produces large snow white flowers in May.

Pink Flowering Dogwood (cornus florida rubra)

Similar to the white flowering dogwood, slightly smaller and slower growing. Bears light pink flowers in May. Height 20’.

Weeping Dogwood (cornus florida pendula)

Weeping form bears white flowers on stiff pendulous branches. Unusual ornamental tree for small gardens where space is limited.

Kousa Dogwood (cornus kousa)

Slow growing, vase shaped when young, becoming more rounded with age. TIered horizontal branching. Long-lasting, creamy white star-shaped flowers bloom mid-June, about three weeks later than comus florida. Dappled, exfoliating bark on older wood adds winter interest. Raspberry-like fruits August-October will attract birds. Dark green foliage turns reddish-purple in autumn. Plant in part shade. Height 15-25’.

Cornelian Cherry (cornus mas)

Large multi-stemmed shrub or small tree. Hardy, disease and pest free. Small yellow flowers in early April signal the start of spring. Edible scarlet fruits August-September. Glossy green leaves tum red in autumn. Sun or part shade. Height 15-25’.

Satomi Kousa Dogwood (cornus kousa satomi)

A newly developed pink form of the Kousa Dogwood. Deep reddish-pink star-shaped flowers bloom in June, followed by raspberry-like fruits that will attract birds. Hardy and disease resistant. Prefers light shade. 15-25’

Rutgers Hybrids -Stellar Series

A new group of hybrid dogwoods developed by Rutgers University to be highly resistant to anthracnose and dogwood borers. They are crosses betw.een comus florida and comus kousa exhibiting some characteristics of each parent. Bloom time is mid to late May, after comus florida, before comus kousa. Rich green foliage turns red in fall.
Sun or part shade. 15-20’

• Constellation
  Tall, upright, vigorous. Produces large, white flowers.
• Celestial
  Tall, heavily branched, prolific bloomer. White flowers.
• Galaxy
  Large, white flowers.
• Stellar Pink
  Upright. Produces pale pink flowers.