Alphabetical Plant Listing

Dogwood Trees: Add Vibrant Beauty to Your Landscape

Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida), Kousa Dogwood (Cornus kousa), Pacific Dogwood (Cornus nuttallii), Cornelian Cherry Dogwood (Cornus mas), Pagoda Dogwood (Cornus alternifolia), Gray Dogwood (Cornus racemosa), Giant Dogwood (Cornus controversa)


A dogwood tree is a popular ornamental plant in gardens and landscapes due to its beauty and relatively small size, which makes them suitable for various spaces.

In addition to their ornamental value, dogwood trees provide essential habitat and food for wildlife, such as birds and pollinators, and their fruits are sometimes used to make jams or jellies.

What is a Dogwood Tree?

A dogwood tree is a flowering, deciduous tree belonging to the genus Cornus within the family Cornaceae. Dogwoods are native to various regions across North America, Europe, and Asia. They are known for their showy, petal-like bracts that resemble flowers, attractive foliage, vibrant fall colors, and often colorful or exfoliating bark.

Growth Habit and Size: Dogwood trees have a moderate growth rate and typically reach a height of 15-30 feet (4.5-9 meters), depending on the species. They often have a horizontal branching habit, giving them a rounded or flat-topped appearance.

Flowers and Blooming Season: Dogwood flowers are actually small, yellowish-green flowers clustered in the center of showy bracts, which are modified leaves that resemble petals. The bracts can be white, pink, or yellow. The blooming season varies depending on the species but generally occurs in spring, from April to June.

Hardiness: Dogwoods are hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9, depending on the species.

Uses: Dogwood trees are often used as ornamental plants in gardens and landscapes for their attractive flowers, fall color, and interesting bark. Some species, like the Cornelian cherry, have edible fruit that can be used to make jams, jellies, and beverages. The wood of dogwood trees is dense and strong, making it valuable for crafting tool handles, golf club heads, and other items that require durability.

Why Should I Grow a Dogwood Tree?

There are several reasons to consider growing a dogwood tree in your garden or landscape:

Aesthetic appeal: Dogwood trees are known for their showy spring flowers. These trees can add a splash of color to your garden and serve as a focal point during the flowering season.

Year-round interest: In addition to the beautiful spring blooms, dogwoods have attractive foliage that turns various shades of red, orange, or purple in the fall. Some species also have unique bark patterns or colors, such as the redtwig dogwood (Cornus sericea) or the kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa), providing visual interest throughout the year.

Wildlife attraction: Dogwood trees attract a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and other insects, which feed on their nectar and pollen. Dogwood trees also produce berries (technically drupes) in late summer or early fall that are attractive to birds and other wildlife. They provide an important food source for many species, so planting a dogwood tree can contribute to a healthy ecosystem in your garden.

Size and versatility: Dogwood trees are typically small to medium-sized, making them suitable for most gardens, even those with limited space. They can be used as specimen trees, planted in groups, or incorporated into mixed borders.

Shade tolerance: Many dogwood species can tolerate partial shade, making them a good choice for planting under taller trees or in areas with dappled sunlight.

Low maintenance: Dogwoods are generally low-maintenance trees that require only occasional pruning and are not particularly susceptible to pests or diseases.

Guide Information

Hardiness 3 - 9
Plant Type Trees
Plant Family Cornus - Dogwoods
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Attracts Bees, Birds, Butterflies
Landscaping Ideas Beds and Borders
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage
Compare All Cornus - Dogwoods Great Plant Combination Ideas with Cornus - Dogwoods Guides with Cornus - Dogwoods

Carolyn Franks, Shutterstock, 

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.

Guide Information

Hardiness 3 - 9
Plant Type Trees
Plant Family Cornus - Dogwoods
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Attracts Bees, Birds, Butterflies
Landscaping Ideas Beds and Borders
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage
Compare All Cornus - Dogwoods Great Plant Combination Ideas with Cornus - Dogwoods Guides with Cornus - Dogwoods

Find your Hardiness Zone

Find your Climate Zone

Find your Heat Zone

Join Gardenia.net

Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

Join now and start creating your dream garden!

Create a New Collection

Optional. For your reference.


Move Selected Plants to a Different Collection


Delete Collection

This field is required.

Rename Collection

This field is required.