Alphabetical Plant Listing

Cornus nuttallii (Pacific Dogwood)

Pacific Dogwood, Pacific Flowering Dogwood, Mountain Dogwood, Benthamidia nuttallii


Providing multi-season interest, Cornus nuttallii (Pacific Dogwood) is a conical deciduous tree with a dense crown and elegant horizontal or tiered branches. From mid-spring to mid-summer, a profusion of large and spectacular creamy-white blossoms, sometimes flushed with pink, appear along the branches. They consist of 4-6 large white bracts which surround a center cluster of tiny purple-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. In summer, its canopy of layered branches, clad with oval, mid-green leaves, 5 in. long (12 cm), provides shade and beauty. In the fall, it offers spectacular color when its foliage turns attractive shades of yellow, orange, and red. Native to western North America from the lowlands of southern British Columbia to the mountains of southern California, with an inland population in central Idaho, Pacific Dogwood occurs naturally along stream banks and in low-elevation coniferous, hardwood, and mixed coastal forests. Pacific Dogwood is the western version of Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) which is native to eastern North America. Long-lived and easy to grow, Pacific Dogwood is a magnificent landscape tree regarded by many gardeners as one of the most handsome native ornamental trees on the Pacific Coast.

  • Grows up to 15-40 ft. tall (4-12 m) and 10-25 ft. wide (3-8 m).
  • Performs best in part shade, in fertile, humus-rich, dry to moist, acidic to neutral, well-drained soils. Tolerates full sun but prefers part shade. Keep roots cool with mulch in summer and provide shelter in exposed locations. Some drought tolerance once established.
  • Great choice as a specimen near patios or lawns, cottage gardens, woodland gardens, or naturalized areas.
  • No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for dogwood anthracnose, leaf spot, crown canker, root rot, and leaf and twig blight. Deer resistant.
  • No routine pruning is necessary. Remove diseased, damaged, congested, or crossing shoots.
  • Propagate by seed in autumn, or stratify and sow in spring or propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings.
  • Native to western North America from lowlands of southern British Columbia to mountains of southern California.

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Requirements

Hardiness 7 – 9
Heat Zones 7 – 8
Climate Zones 3, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20
Plant Type Trees
Plant Family Cornus - Dogwoods
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid)
Fall
Height 15' – 40' (4.5m – 12m)
Spread 10' – 25' (3m – 7.5m)
Water Needs Low, Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Fruit & Berries
Native Plants United States, California, Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Oregon, Washington
Tolerance Clay Soil, Deer
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow

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John Rusk, Brewbooks, Wendy Cutler, Elaine with Grey Cats, Flickr, Sundry Photography,Danita Delimont, Papuchalka - kaelaimages, 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.


Requirements

Hardiness 7 – 9
Heat Zones 7 – 8
Climate Zones 3, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20
Plant Type Trees
Plant Family Cornus - Dogwoods
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid)
Fall
Height 15' – 40' (4.5m – 12m)
Spread 10' – 25' (3m – 7.5m)
Water Needs Low, Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Fruit & Berries
Native Plants United States, California, Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Oregon, Washington
Tolerance Clay Soil, Deer
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow

Great Plant Combination Ideas with Cornus - Dogwoods

Guides with Cornus - Dogwoods

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