The state tree of Virginia, Flowering Dogwood grows 20 to 35 feet tall and spreads 25 to 30 feet. It can be trained with one central trunk or as a picturesque multi-trunked tree. The flowers consist of four bracts which subtend the small head of yellow flowers. The bracts may be pink or red depending on cultivar but the species color is white. The fall color depends on site and seed source but on most sun grown plants will be red to maroon. The bright red fruits are often eaten by birds. Fall color is more vivid in USDA hardiness zones 5 to 8a. Branches on the lower half of the crown grow horizontally, those in the upper half are more upright. In time, this can lend a strikingly horizontal impact to the landscape, particularly if some branches are thinned to open up the crown.
The Dogwood Tree is a beautiful and versatile ornamental tree, well adapted to life in the United States. With over 50 species within the Cornus, or Dogwood, genus, these plants range from deciduous temperate trees and evergreens to shrubs. One of the most popular species is the Flowering Dogwood, the state tree of Virginia, known for its stunning white to light yellow flowers that bloom in spring. Other species, like the Blackfruit Cornel native to California, offer different characteristics and appearances.
However, there is one crucial aspect to consider when growing Dogwoods: water. While these trees can adapt to various conditions, they do not grow well in semi-arid to arid climates and will need irrigation in these areas. Dogwoods can thrive near river banks or streams but struggle in frequently flooded areas where the soil is consistently saturated.
Sunlight - Plant in a partially sunny area with minimal direct afternoon sun. Soil - Plant in well-drained, moist soil that is not overly wet. Water - Due to their shallow roots, Dogwoods may dry out quickly. The Dogwood Tree can be particular about its growing conditions. They may not adjust well to significant changes in water and nutrient levels. Dogwoods also emit a strong fragrance, although it’s not altogether unpleasant. Dogwoods thrive in dappled shade areas where taller shade trees provide protection from the more direct sun rays. Investigate your property for locations where your new Dogwood will be protected from the sun. Consider planting the Royal Empress or Tulip Poplar, fast-growing shade trees that will provide the dappled shade Dogwoods prefer. Alternatively, you can place the Dogwood in an area where shade is given by a nearby building.
The most crucial factor when planting a Dogwood is water access. Whether it’s a natural bubbling brook, high average weekly rainfall, your handheld watering can, or an intricate irrigation system, your Dogwood will need water. Dogwoods have shallow roots, and even with dappled shade, these root systems will dry quickly. Water the tree to a depth of three feet and observe the leaves for signs of over or under-watering. If the leaves are light-green, prickly, or crispy, the tree needs more water.
Depending on the species of Dogwood you plant, you may have a short stout bush or a 25-foot tall tree. The tree displays medium growth, averaging between 13 and 24 inches annually. The Dogwood is currently at risk for both fungus and pest infestations, which is why it is important to buy the sapling from an arborist instead of transplanting the tree from the wild. Dogwood anthracnose is a disease caused by the fungus Discula destructiva. Dogwood powdery mildew has also become a recent major threat to Dogwoods. Dogwoods are delicious, so if deer are present in your region, protect the newly planted tree with ‘Deer Away’ or a similar product.
The Dogwood tree is a beautiful and versatile addition to any landscape. With a wide variety of species to choose from, there is undoubtedly a Dogwood tree that will suit your specific needs and preferences. Choosing the right Dogwood for your property means considering what your location has to offer and for what you are looking.
Key Concepts About Flowering Dogwood
Bract - a specialized leaf, usually associated with the reproductive actions of the plant. In conclusion, the Dogwood tree is a beautiful and versatile addition to any landscape. With over 50 species to choose from, there is undoubtedly a Dogwood tree that will suit your specific needs and preferences. When planting your Dogwood tree, choose a spot that offers dappled sunlight and has well-draining, slightly acidic soil. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep, ensuring that the tree’s root collar is slightly above the soil line. Backfill the hole with a mixture of native soil and organic material, such as compost. Dogwood trees are a popular choice for ornamental landscaping due to their stunning spring blooms, attractive foliage, and colorful fall displays. By understanding the specific needs of your chosen Dogwood species and providing the appropriate care, you can enjoy the many benefits of these beautiful trees for years to come.
Species, Varieties, and Cultural Notes
The Dogwood tree, known for its enchanting beauty and understated elegance, is a staple in many landscapes and gardens. The Dogwood tree, a member of the genus Cornus, is widely cherished for its ornamental beauty and versatility. This genus comprises over 50 species, ranging from compact shrubs to sizable trees, each with unique characteristics. Cornus kousa: Often referred to as the Kousa Dogwood or Japanese Dogwood, this East Asian native blooms slightly later than Cornus florida. The Dogwood tree is a magnificent addition to any landscape, offering a unique blend of vibrant beauty and year-round interest. In spring, it captivates with delicate blossoms, typically in shades of white, pink, or red, transforming into a lush canopy of green in summer. Autumn brings a fiery display of red, orange, and purple leaves, while the winter reveals a striking architectural form with textured bark.
Dogwoods, though celebrated for their ornamental beauty, harbor more than just aesthetic value. Historically, Native Americans utilized the bark of certain Dogwood species for its healing qualities. Rich in tannins, it was used to reduce fevers and soothe ailments such as malaria and headaches. Not all Dogwoods have the iconic four-petal white or pink bracts. In fact, the Dogwood family exhibits a surprising diversity in its flowering. Take, for instance, the Cornus mas, also known as the Cornelian Cherry Dogwood. The Dogwood is both the state tree and the state flower of Virginia. As autumn arrives, Dogwood trees transform into a spectacular display of vibrant hues, painting the landscape with their seasonal beauty. Their leaves, which gracefully adorn the branches throughout the year, begin to change into a vivid tapestry of colors ranging from deep reds to fiery oranges and rich purples. This dramatic change not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of fall gardens but also signifies the tree’s preparation for the winter ahead. On average, many Dogwood species can live between 20 to 30 years, but under ideal conditions and with proper care, they can survive much longer, often up to 80 years or more.
Dogwood Anthracnose, a devastating disease caused by the fungus Discula destructiva, poses a significant threat to Dogwood trees, especially the Cornus florida species. Characterized by telltale signs like unsightly leaf spots, tan blotches, and purple-rimmed lesions, the infection rapidly progresses, leading to stem dieback and large, sunken cankers on the trunk. The impact on Dogwood populations has been substantial, particularly in forested and natural settings, where these symptoms are more than just a cosmetic concern but a real threat to the tree’s survival. While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Flowering dogwood is a beautiful shrub to small tree with a straggling, spreading crown. Missouri’s official state tree, it presents lovely boughs of white inflorescences in springtime forests. Twigs are flexible, slender, reddish-gray to purplish, or greenish with red dots, hairy, with flower buds terminal. Flowers are small, in inflorescences (flower clusters) of 25-30, surrounded by 4 large, white (sometimes pink) petal-like bracts, and appear in early spring before the leaves. Bracts are 1¼-2½ inches long and are notched at the tip. Similar species: Missouri has 5 species in the genus Cornus. Mostly in the Ozarks, but also present north of the Missouri River, particularly in the eastern half of the state. Native Missouri small tree or shrub. Very popular native landscaping plant, offering high ornamental and wildlife value.
Alex X. Main features: Flowering dogwood is an exceedingly beautiful small tree due to its large white “flowers” (actually showy parts are bracts; April/May), horizontal branching habit, bright red clusters of fruit, maroon fall foliage color, and blocky bark (often likened to alligator hide). The true flower is actually the yellowish cluster of flower parts that lies in the center of four showy bracts; bracts (either white or pink) are actually modified leaves. Prior to the discovery of Discula destructiva in the US (1978), the main cultural recommendation of flowering dogwood was to plant trees in part shade (to mimic its natural environment). However, since the lethal fungal disease has killed at least 50% of the native flowering dogwood population, current planting recommendations are to plant trees in a full sun site with good air flow (conditions which minimize fungal infection). Dogwoods are subject to several other pests such as borers, cankers, spot anthracnose (different than the Discula form of anthracnose) and powdery mildew. Stressed trees tend to be much more susceptible to diseases, thus one should irrigate flowering dogwoods during drought periods; this is especially important when trees are in their establishment phase, i.e., first few years after being transplanted. This bark damage stresses the tree and makes it more vulnerable to insect and disease attack compared to non-stressed trees. One should have a mulch ring around trees to avoid injuring the trunk; do not pile mulch on the trunk since this keeps the bark wet and fosters disease organisms and insect infestations. Compared to other tree species, flowering dogwood trees characteristically have a relatively low transplant success. Flowering dogwood is useful as a specimen plant, in groupings, or anywhere a small deciduous tree is appropriate.
Plants need to be irrigated during drought, especially in the first few years after transplanting. There are more than 100 cultivars of flowering dogwood that vary in bract characteristics (e.g., bract color and size, single vs. double, bract density, and timing of flowering), leaf characteristics (variegation, fall color), plant size and vigor, form, and disease resistance (i.e., Discula, spot anthracnose, canker, powdery mildew). Bracts are either white or pink (ranging from light pink to red; var. rubra). For a thorough description of flowering dogwood cultivars, consult the Manual of Woody Landscape Plants by Michael A. Dirr, 6th edition, 2009, Stipes Publishing L.L.C.
Content Detail: Flowering dogwood is a small to medium woodland understory tree, native throughout most of the eastern United States. Showy white, red, or pink flowering bracts appear before the leaves in early spring. Dark green summer foliage turns a brilliant reddish-purple in fall. Flowering dogwood is sensitive to adverse soil and environmental conditions such as road salt and pollution. It is best planted in acidic soil. This species is native to the Chicago Region according to Wilhelm and Rericha’s Flora of the Chicago Region. Native Geographic Location and Habitat: Flowering dogwood is native to much of the eastern United States and is common in wooded areas.
Bark Description: The mature bark of flowering dogwood is gray-brown and blocky and when shed it reveals a dark inner bark. Leaf Description: The leaves of flowering dogwood are opposite, simple, and rounded with a pointed tip. They are pale green with wavy leaf margins and veins growing toward the tip of the leaf without running to the edge. Flower Description: Flowers appear large because of the four white bracts. True flowers are clustered in the center of bracts. Flower buds are a small button-like bud at the tips of branches. Leaf buds are flattened and reddish in color. Fruit Description: Clusters of bright red fruit ripen in July through August. Plant Care: This tree tends to develop problems in heavy clay soil. It prefers acid soil and gets chlorotic symptoms (pale green leaves) in high pH soils. It has a shallow root system and benefits from a few inches of mulch to moderate soil temperature fluctuations. It is also beneficial to shelter the plant from wind. It is considered borderline hardy in the Chicago area and flowers on old wood so harsh winters can damage flower buds. List of pests, diseases, and tolerances: Poorly drained soils, wind, salt, and drought stress predispose this plant to insect and disease problems. Borers and cankers are possible problems. Anthracnose (Discula) is a very serious problem in some parts of the United States. Flowering dogwood is tolerant of black walnut toxicity. Some cultivars may be difficult to find in the nursery trade. These plants are cultivars of a species that is native to the Chicago according to Wilhelm and Rericha’s Flora of the Chicago Region. Cultivars are plants produced in cultivation by selective breeding or via vegetative propagation from wild plants identified to have desirable traits. Cherokee Chief flowering dogwood (Cornus florida ‘Cherokee Chief’); Cloud 9 flowering dogwood (Cornus florida ‘Cloud 9’); Dwarf Red flowering dogwood (Cornus florida ‘Red Pygmy’); Stellar Pink flowering dogwood (Cornus florida ‘Stellar Pink’); Sweetwater Red flowering dogwood (Cornus florida ‘Sweetwater Red’).
