Flowering Dogwood
(Cornus florida)
Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida)
/
/
Miltos Gikas
CC BY 2.0
Image By:
Miltos Gikas
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 2.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Miltos Gikas | License Type: CC BY 2.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ | Uploader: Aries Tottle | Publisher: Flickr |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Cornus florida, commonly known as Flowering Dogwood, is a deciduous tree or shrub native to the forests of the Eastern U.S., Gulf States, and Northeastern Mexico. It typically grows up to 10 m (33 ft) high and often matures to a width greater than its height. The trunk diameter can reach up to 30 cm (1 ft). The leaves are opposite, simple, ovate, and measure 6-13 cm (2.4-5.1 in) long and 4-6 cm (1.6-2.4 in) broad. They turn a rich red-brown in the fall. The tree typically flowers in early April in the southern part of its range, to late April or early May in northern and high altitude areas.
Flowering Dogwood thrives in moist, acidic soil with some afternoon shade but good morning sun. It struggles in the presence of intense heat sources such as adjacent parking lots or air conditioning compressors, and has a low salinity tolerance. The hardiness zone is 5-9 and the preferred pH is between 6.0 and 7.0. In urban and suburban settings, care should be taken to avoid mower damage on the trunk or roots, as this increases susceptibility to disease and pests. Sites should be selected for reasonably well-drained, fertile soils; full sun is recommended in high-hazard areas. New plantings should be mulched to a depth of 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4 in), avoiding the stem. Dead wood and leaves should be pruned and completely removed and destroyed yearly. Plants should be watered weekly during droughts, with watering done in the morning, avoiding wetting the foliage.CC BY-SA 4.0
Flowering Dogwood thrives in moist, acidic soil with some afternoon shade but good morning sun. It struggles in the presence of intense heat sources such as adjacent parking lots or air conditioning compressors, and has a low salinity tolerance. The hardiness zone is 5-9 and the preferred pH is between 6.0 and 7.0. In urban and suburban settings, care should be taken to avoid mower damage on the trunk or roots, as this increases susceptibility to disease and pests. Sites should be selected for reasonably well-drained, fertile soils; full sun is recommended in high-hazard areas. New plantings should be mulched to a depth of 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4 in), avoiding the stem. Dead wood and leaves should be pruned and completely removed and destroyed yearly. Plants should be watered weekly during droughts, with watering done in the morning, avoiding wetting the foliage.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Tree
- Height: 15-30 feet
- Width: 15-30 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Pink, White
- Flowering Season: Spring
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium, High
- Drainage: Fast, Medium
Common Uses
Bank Stabilization, Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Fire Resistant, Fragrant, Hummingbird Garden, Rabbit Resistant, Showy Flowers
Natural Habitat
Deciduous forest understories, forest edges, woodlands and riparian areas
Other Names
Common Names: Eastern Flowering Dogwood, American Boxwood, White Dogwood, Dogwood, Blumen-Hartriegel, Cornouiller À Fleurs, Cornouiller De Floride, Cornouiller Fleuri, Blomsterkornell
Scientific Names: , Cornus florida, Cornus florida var. rubra, Benthamidia florida, Cynoxylon floridum, Cornus florida f. florida, Benthamia florida,
GBIF Accepted Name: Cornus florida L.