Flowering Dogwood
Cornus florida
$79.98
Possibly the ultimate small specimen tree, famous for its large yet delicate white blooms in spring and excellent wide-spreading form; extremely fussy, requires rich, well-drained acidic soil and adequate precipitation, best with some shelter
Features and Growing Tips
Note: Each live plant is unique and may differ from the photo while maintaining its beauty. Plants come in a plastic pot; other items in images are not included.
Landscape Qualities
Flowering Dogwood is a multi-stemmed deciduous tree with a stunning habit of growth which features almost oriental horizontally-tiered branches. Its average texture blends into the landscape | but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.
Ornamental Qualities
Flowering Dogwood features showy clusters of white flowers with white bracts held atop the branches in mid spring that fade to pink over time. It has forest green deciduous foliage which emerges burgundy in spring. The pointy leaves turn an outstanding brick red in the fall. It produces red berries from early to late fall. The warty gray bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape.
Planting and Growing
Flowering Dogwood will grow to be about 30 feet tall at maturity | with a spread of 35 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 4 feet from the ground | and should not be planted underneath power lines. It grows at a slow rate | and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 30 years.
This tree does best in full sun to partial shade. You may want to keep it away from hot | dry locations that receive direct afternoon sun or which get reflected sunlight | such as against the south side of a white wall. It requires an evenly moist well-drained soil for optimal growth | but will die in standing water. It is very fussy about its soil conditions and must have rich | acidic soils to ensure success | and is subject to chlorosis (yellowing) of the foliage in alkaline soils. It is quite intolerant of urban pollution | therefore inner city or urban streetside plantings are best avoided | and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This species is native to parts of North America.
Plant Facts
Prefers full sun to partial shade
Keep moisture level moist
Mature Size 30'Hx35'W
Flowers are white
Flowers in mid spring
Attracts birds
Fall color brick red
Zone 6a
Likes well drained soil