- Flowering dogwood may grow to be up to 30 feet tall in ideal conditions, though it is more likely to grow about 15 feet tall. The spread of the tree is between 20 to 35 feet. The tree boasts broken, square bark, and a dense, full canopy of leaves gradually turn from green to red and purple in the autumn. In early spring, the tree produces showy, paper flower bracts that are white or pink depending on the cultivar. Flowers give way to red, football-shaped berries.
- Other dogwood species include the kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa) and Cornelian cherry dogwood (Cornus mas). Flowering dogwood cultivars include Cherokee Chief, a variety that boasts dark pink bracts, and Cloud Nine, a variety that produces overlapped, showy bracts. First Lady produces yellow and green variegated leaves. Smaller cultivars include Nana, a dwarf variety that grows to a height of 6 feet, and Pendula, a variety that offers weeping, pendulous branches.
- Flowering dogwood grows throughout the eastern United States, as well as Ontario and Mexico. The tree can be found on fertile, well-draining soils from Massachusetts down to eastern Texas and central Florida. The tree typically grows at the edge of pine forests, or as an understory tree in mixed hardwood forests. Trees that grow in bright, sunny locations grow slower and have a denser, more compact appearance than those grown in shady areas.
- Flowering dogwood is suitable for USDA zones 5 to 9, where it does best in partial or broken shade. The tree thrives with morning sunlight and afternoon shade. Trees prefer a well-draining, acidic soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6. Soil should be moist, though not wet or waterlogged. Organic mulch helps to retain moisture while suppressing weeds. Drought stresses the tree, making it more susceptible to pests and disease.
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