CORNUS FLORIDA / WHITE FLOWERING DOGWOOD

CORNUS FLORIDA / FLOWERING DOGWOOD

A Graceful Native Tree with Stunning Spring Blooms

Cornus florida, commonly known as Flowering Dogwood, is a native deciduous tree celebrated for its showy white (or occasionally pink) bracts that bloom in spring, followed by bright red berries and striking fall foliage. Thriving in full sun to partial shade with well-drained soils, Flowering Dogwood adds seasonal beauty, wildlife value, and elegant structure to woodlands, naturalized landscapes, and ornamental gardens. Its layered branching and spring flowers make it a classic specimen tree.

Why Choose Flowering Dogwood?

Pollinator & Wildlife Friendly: Flowers attract bees; berries provide food for birds and small mammals.
Ornamental Beauty: Showy spring blooms, red berries, and brilliant fall foliage create multi-season interest.
Compact & Graceful: Rounded, layered form makes it ideal for small to medium gardens.
Low Maintenance: Hardy and adaptable once established.

Key Features:

Foliage Color: Dark green leaves turning red to purple in fall.
Flower Color: Showy white bracts in spring (occasionally pink).
Fruit Color: Bright red berries in late summer.
Height and Spread: Typically grows 20–35 feet tall and 25–35 feet wide.
Hardiness: Hardy to USDA Zones 5–9.
Sunlight: Prefers full sun to partial shade.
Soil Requirements: Well-drained, slightly acidic soils; tolerates loam, sandy, and clay soils.

Specifications:

Plant Size: 20–35 feet tall, 25–35 feet wide.
Growth Habit: Rounded, multi-stemmed deciduous tree with layered branching.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 5–9.
Flowering: Spring with showy white or pink bracts.
Fall Interest: Red to purple foliage and ornamental berries.

Ideal Uses:

Specimen Plantings: Perfect as a focal point in gardens and yards.
Woodland & Naturalized Landscapes: Adds spring blooms and fall color to native plantings.
Pollinator & Wildlife Gardens: Supports bees, birds, and small mammals.
Low-Maintenance Landscapes: Adaptable, long-lived, and resilient once established.

Flowering Dogwood is a classic and ecologically valuable native tree. Its showy spring flowers, bright red berries, and layered form make it a standout choice for woodlands, naturalized landscapes, and ornamental gardens.