Cornus florida, the flowering dogwood, is native to eastern North America and northern Mexico. It is a member of the dogwood family, which includes several other species of dogwoods. It is also related to the black tupelo. The tree has a layered branching structure, with several twigs arising from the same point on a branchlet. The leaves of the Flowering Dogwood turn a spectacular red in the fall before dropping. Often used as a specimen tree in lawns, parks, and gardens.
Dogwood trees grow and bloom over most of the eastern half of the United States and along the Pacific Coast. They thrive in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 through 9. It can survive in temperatures as low as -20° F (-29° C). Under ideal conditions, the trees can reach a height of around 30 feet, with multilayered branches that can spread out to about 20 feet, full of dogwood blossoms in-season. It is a fast-growing, short-lived tree. In nature, the dogwood is an understory tree, so it does best in part or filtered sun.
The flowers of this Dogwood are quite unique. While many people mistake the large, showy bracts for the flowers, the true flowers are actually small and greenish-yellow in color. They are surrounded by four large, white, petal-like bracts, which are often mistaken for petals. Depending on location, dogwood blossoms may arrive in March, April or May for about two weeks. When pollinated, the flowers produce red berries in the fall. These fruits are not considered edible for humans, but they are an important food source for wildlife, including birds and small mammals.
The leaves are quite small. They are oval-shaped and appear along the branches of the tree after the flowers have bloomed. Throughout the summer, the leaves of this tree are bright, mid-green, and they take on an intense shade of red in the fall before dropping to the ground. When the tree is young, the bark is smooth, but as it ages, the bark breaks up into small squares, giving the trunk the appearance of being covered in scales.
The Flowering Dogwood grows at a moderate rate, with an annual growth rate of about 1 to 2 feet. It is a relatively short-lived tree. It lives for 30 to 40 years, although some specimens can live up to 80 years or more under ideal conditions. The lifespan can be influenced by various factors, such soil quality, disease and pest pressure, and environmental conditions.
Less common names for Cornus florida include American dogwood, Florida dogwood, Indian arrowwood, Cornelian tree, white cornel, white dogwood, false box, and false boxwood.
Interesting Facts About Flowering Dogwood
Flowering Dogwood is that it is the state tree and flower of Virginia, the state tree of Missouri, and state flower of North Carolina. The dogwood, daisy and flame azalea were all considered for North Carolina’s official flower in the late 1930s, but the state legislature ultimately chose the dogwood, passing a bill designating it as the official state flower in March 1941.
Virginia designated the dogwood as its state flower in 1918. Thomas Jefferson planted dogwoods on his Monticello estate in the 1770s, and the state legislature hoped naming the dogwood as the official state flower would stimulate interest in the state’s history and traditions.
In 2012, the United States sent 3,000 dogwood saplings to Japan to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Washington, D.C., cherry trees given as a gift to the U.S. by Japan in 1912.
Christian legends associate dogwood flowers with Jesus’ crucifixion. The blooms are thought to be shaped like the cross on which Jesus was crucified, and to represent a reminder of Christ’s suffering and resurrection.
Flowering dogwood attains its greatest size and growth potential in the Upper South, sometimes up to 40 feet in height. At the northern end of its range, heights of 30–33 feet are more typical. Hot, humid summer weather is necessary for new growth to harden off in the fall.
Flowering dogwood is grown widely throughout the temperate world.
Key Characteristics
- Appearance: It grows to a height of 15-30 feet. The tree has a rounded to flat-topped crown.
- Flowers: The flowers bloom in early spring before the leaves emerge. What appear to be large, showy petals are actually bracts surrounding the small, true flowers.
- Leaves: The leaves are oval, dark green in summer, turning to shades of red, purple, and orange in the fall.
- Bark: The bark is grayish and develops a distinctive, alligator-skin pattern with age.
- Fruit: Bright red drupes appear in late summer and persist into winter.
Growing Conditions
- Climate: It thrives in zones 5-8 (USDA Hardiness Zone Map). It prefers cool, moist climates but can tolerate some heat with proper care.
- Light: Ideally suited for partial shade to full sun. Too much sun, especially in hot climates, can scorch the leaves.
- Soil: Prefers acidic, well-drained, fertile soil. Heavy clay soil or overly wet conditions can lead to root rot.
Care and Maintenance
- Watering: Regular watering, especially during the first few years after planting, is crucial. Established trees can tolerate some drought but benefit from deep watering during dry spells.
- Mulching: Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base of the tree to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
- Pruning: Minimal pruning is necessary. However, if needed, prune in late winter or early spring before new growth appears. Remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches to maintain the tree’s shape.
- Pests and Diseases: It can be susceptible to dogwood borer, anthracnose, and powdery mildew.
Selected Cultivars
- ‘Amerika Touch-O-Pink’ – large bracts, tinged pink; large leaves; good disease resistance.
- ‘Appalachian Spring’ – large white bracts; red fall foliage; resistant to dogwood anthracnose.
- ‘Autumn Gold’ – white bracts; yellow fall color.
- ‘Barton’ – large white bracts; blooms at early age; resistant to stem canker and powdery mildew.
- ‘Bay Beauty’ – double white bracts; resists heat and drought; good for Deep South.
- ‘Cherokee Daybreak’ – white bract; vigorous grower with variegated leaves.
- ‘Cherokee Chief’ – red bracts; red new growth.