Cornus florida (Flowering Dogwood)

Noted for its four seasons of interest, Cornus florida (Flowering Dogwood) is a large shrub or small deciduous tree adorned with a rounded to flat-topped canopy and elegant horizontal or tiered branches. In spring, profuse star-like blooms, 3-4 in. across (7-10 cm), usually appear before the leaves. They consist of four narrowly pointed white bracts surrounding the center cluster of tiny green flowers. The blossoms give way to rounded, glistening orange-red fruit in summer, which may persist until late in the year unless devoured by hungry birds. Its canopy of layered branches, clad with broadly oval, mid-green leaves, provides shade and beauty in summer. In the fall, it offers a spectacular bright red color when its foliage turns attractive shades of purple and scarlet. Light gray and smooth when young, the bark becomes gray-brown and develops a distinctive pattern that looks like alligator skin as the tree matures, adding interest to the winter landscape. A magnificent landscape tree regarded by many gardeners as one of the best small flowering trees.

• Grows up to 15-30 ft. tall and wide (4-9 m).
• Performs best in part shade, in fertile, evenly moist, acidic to neutral, well-drained soils. Tolerates full sun but tends to be denser. Keep roots cool with mulch in summer and provide shelter in exposed locations.
• Deer resistant.
• Great choice as a specimen near patios or lawns, in shrub borders, woodland gardens, or naturalized areas.
• No routine pruning is necessary. Remove diseased, damaged, congested, or crossing shoots.
• Dogwoods are susceptible to a range of pests and diseases.
• Propagate by softwood cuttings in summer.
• Native from Maine to southern Ontario to Illinois to Kansas south to Florida, Texas, and Mexico.