Description:
Dogwoods are usually found in the shrub border to add color
or as a specimen in the lawn. It can also be grown as an "under story"
tree underneath of other large trees. They prefer a rich, deep,
well-drained soil. These plants are not recommended for heavy, wet
soils. The fruits that are produced are also a favorite of many
birds as well as squirrels, rabbits and raccoons. They can also serve
as butterfly nectar sources and as hosts for butterfly larvae.
|
| Common Name: |
Dogwood |
| Botanical
Name: |
Cornus alba, Cornus
alternifolia, Cornus canadensis, Cornus florida, Cornus rubra, Cornus kousa,
Cornus mas, Cornus stolonifera |
| Type: |
Deciduous Tree |
| Growth Rate: |
Slow to
Average |
| Soil
Preference: |
Some varieties will tolerate
drought and occasional wetness but all must have well-drained soil.
They prefer a pH of acidic to slightly alkaline (less than 6.8 to 7.7) |
| Light
Requirements: |
Sun to partial shade
(depending on type) |
| Attributes: |
Some varieties (Cornus
florida, Cornus kousa, Cornus mas) attract birds and butterflies. Some
types are pest tolerant or disease resistant (see individual descriptions);
Plants also serve as butterfly nectar sources and as hosts for butterfly
larvae. |
| Pests: |
Aphids, borers, leaf miners, scale. (for borer
prevention, see "care" section) |
| Diseases: |
Powdery mildew, anthracnose (Many varieties are
resistant to mildew and anthracnose - see individual descriptions), leaf
spots, bacterial leaf scorch; also sensitive to ozone air pollution |
| Care: |
Spray trunk and lower branches with Eight May
1, May 15 and May 30 (in Ohio) to prevent borer on Florida types. Avoid
over-fertilizing with nitrogen. Fertilize with Holly-tone as recommended. Planting
Instructions: Trees & Shrubs
Water & Fertilizer Schedule |
| Varieties: |
|
Click on image to view larger size
|
Cornus alba 'Bailhalo' (Ivory Halo)
Tatarian Dogwood, Siberian Dogwood
zones 3-7
|
| Description:
Variegated green and creamy white leaves. Small, fragrant creamy white
flowers in spring. Bright red twigs (stems) in winter. Grows well in
wet or well-drained soil. |
| Bloom Color: |
White |
| Bloom Time: |
Spring |
| Foliage Color: |
Variegated green & white |
| Height: |
5' |
| Spread: |
6' |
|
|
Click on image to view larger size
|
Cornus alternifolia 'Argenteo-Marginata'
Pagoda Dogwood, Alternate Leaf Dogwood
zones 3-8
|
| Description:
A rare and stunning, beautiful tree with a spreading habit. Leaves are
variegated with creamy white margins. Fiery red stems persist into
winter. White flowers bloom May and June. Very slow growing. |
| Bloom Color: |
White |
| Bloom Time: |
May & June |
| Foliage Color: |
Variegated white & green |
| Height: |
8-10' |
| Spread: |
5-10' |
|
|
Click on image to view larger size
|
Cornus canadensis
Bunchberry Dogwood
zones 2-7
|
| Description:
Beautiful whorls of leaves surround the Dogwood flower born in spring.
This plant thrives in cool, moist, shady areas. |
| Bloom Color: |
White |
| Bloom Time: |
Spring |
| Foliage Color: |
Green |
| Height: |
4-9" |
| Spread: |
|
|
|
Click on image to view larger size
|
Cornus florida
Flowering Dogwood
zones 5-9
|
| Description:
Abundance of white flowers in spring with bright red berries in fall.
Crimson red fall foliage. Excellent drainage is a must! Soil
that is well-drained enough for other trees may not be good enough for this
tree. |
| Bloom Color: |
White |
| Bloom Time: |
Spring |
| Foliage Color: |
Green |
| Height: |
15-20' |
| Spread: |
15-20' |
|
|
Click on image to view larger size
|
Cornus florida 'Cherokee Daybreak'
Cherokee Daybreak Flowering Dogwood
zones 5-9 |
| Description:
White flowers. Variegated foliage. Good drainage is a must! |
| Bloom Color: |
White |
| Bloom Time: |
May |
| Foliage Color: |
Variegated |
| Height: |
15-20' |
| Spread: |
15-20' |
|
|
Click on image to view larger size
|
Cornus florida 'Cherokee Princess'
Cherokee Princess Flowering Dogwood
zones 5-9
|
| Description:
Gives an unusually heavy display of white blooms. Good drainage is a
must! |
| Bloom Color: |
White |
| Bloom Time: |
Spring |
| Foliage Color: |
Green |
| Height: |
20-25' |
| Spread: |
|
|
|
Click on image to view larger size
|
Cornus florida 'Cloud 9'
Cloud 9 Flowering Dogwood
zones 5-9
|
| Description:
Large white flowers in May, strong grower with light green foliage.
Slowly grows to 8-10' in 10 years. Good drainage is a must! |
| Bloom Color: |
White |
| Bloom Time: |
May |
| Foliage Color: |
Green |
| Height: |
10-12' |
| Spread: |
10-15' |
|
|
Click on image to view larger size
|
Cornus florida 'Pendula'
Weeping Dogwood
zones 5-9
|
| Description:
White flowers form in spring on this weeping form with stiff and somewhat
distorted pendulous branches. Bright red fruits persist into winter. |
| Bloom Color: |
White |
| Bloom Time: |
May |
| Foliage Color: |
Green |
| Height: |
10-15' |
| Spread: |
10-15' |
|
|
Click on image to view larger size
|
Cornus florida 'Stellar Pink'™
Stellar Pink Flowering Dogwood
zones 5-9
|
| Description:
Round flower heads with overlapping bracts, soft pink flower color.
Borer and anthracnose resistant. Well-drained soil is a must! |
| Bloom Color: |
Pink |
| Bloom Time: |
May |
| Foliage Color: |
Green |
| Height: |
15-20' |
| Spread: |
15-20' |
|
|
Click on image to view larger size
|
Cornus florida 'Rubra'
Pink Flowering Dogwood
zones 5-8
|
| Description:
A small tree that produces an abundance of deep rose-pink flowers in spring.
Bright reddish-green fall foliage with red berries. Good drainage is a
must! |
| Bloom Color: |
Pink |
| Bloom Time: |
May |
| Foliage Color: |
Green |
| Height: |
12-15' |
| Spread: |
|
|
|
Click on image to view larger size
|
Cornus florida var. rubra 'Cherokee Brave'
Cherokee Brave Flowering Dogwood
zones 5-8
|
| Description:
An improved red (flower) form of Dogwood. New growth is burgundy-red turning
to dark green with age. |
| Bloom Color: |
Red |
| Bloom Time: |
May |
| Foliage Color: |
Green |
| Height: |
15-30' |
| Spread: |
25-35' |
|
|
Click on image to view larger size
|
Cornus florida x chinensis 'Radiant Rose'
Radiant Rose Flowering Dogwood
zones 5-9
|
| Description:
Rosy red flowers in spring. Resistant to borer and anthracnose.
Fall foliage color is red. There is also some red color in the leaves
and branches. Spreading, arching habit. Well-drained soil is a must! |
| Bloom Color: |
Red |
| Bloom Time: |
May |
| Foliage Color: |
Green |
| Height: |
20-25' |
| Spread: |
|
|
|
Click on image to view larger size
|
Cornus kousa x chinensis
Chinese Dogwood
zones 5-9
|
| Description:
Dark green foliage turns to dark crimson in fall. Produces star-shaped
white flowers. The dark maroon to black fruit is edible when
ripe. This tree prefers moist soil and sun to light shade. Good
drainage is imperative! Blooms end of May through June. |
| Bloom Color: |
White |
| Bloom Time: |
end of May - June |
| Foliage Color: |
Green |
| Height: |
15-20' |
| Spread: |
|
|
|
Click on image to view larger size
Thank you to J.Frank Schmidt for this image.
|
Cornus kousa x chinensis 'Heart Throb'
Chinese Dogwood
zones 5-9
|
| Description:
Long lasting
red
flowers start blooming in late May. Prefers sun to partial shade.
Resistant to borer and anthracnose. Attractive dark green foliage
turns deep red in the fall, when red fruits of about 3/4" diameter also
provide seasonal interest. Like all Dogwood trees, well-drained soil is a
must! |
| Bloom Color: |
Red |
| Bloom Time: |
Late may |
| Foliage Color: |
Green |
| Height: |
12-20' |
| Spread: |
|
|
|
Click on image to view larger size
|
Cornus kousa 'Milky Way'
Flowering Dogwood
zones 4-8
|
| Description:
White flowers bloom spring and summer. A heavy blooming variety with
purplish-red fall color. Resistant to borer and anthracnose. |
| Bloom Color: |
White |
| Bloom Time: |
Spring |
| Foliage Color: |
Green |
| Height: |
15-20' |
| Spread: |
15-20' |
|
|
Click on image to view larger size
|
Cornus kousa 'Lustgarden Weeping'
Weeping Dogwood
zones 4-8
|
| Description:
Branches arch downwards and bear large white flowers in June. Weeping
habit. Well drained soil is a must! Grows to 7' x 5' after 12
years. |
| Bloom Color: |
White |
| Bloom Time: |
June |
| Foliage Color: |
Green |
| Height: |
5-7' |
| Spread: |
|
|
|
Click on image to view larger size
|
Cornus kousa 'Miss Satomi'
Flowering Dogwood
zones 4-8
|
| Description:
Popsicle pink flowers bloom in May. Fast growth rate.
Well-drained soil is a must! |
| Bloom Color: |
Pink |
| Bloom Time: |
May |
| Foliage Color: |
Green |
| Height: |
15-20' |
| Spread: |
15-20' |
|
|
Click on image to view larger size
|
Cornus sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire'
Tatarian Dogwood
zones 4-7
|
| Description:
Noted for its colorful orange-red stems and twigs during the winter months.
Tiny white flowers bloom in late spring then give way to dark purple berries
in summer that are very attractive to birds. Grows to 5-6' in 8 years
(picture shown during late fall or winter) |
| Bloom Color: |
White |
| Bloom Time: |
Late Spring |
| Foliage Color: |
Green |
| Height: |
5-6' |
| Spread: |
5-6' |
