A shapely tree, although small is often used as a specimen tree. It is suitable for any garden and is also useful also in shrub or mixed borders. Attractive pink petal-like bracts in late spring. Dark green foliage turns a spectacular red and purple in autumn. Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Prefers moist, organically rich, acidic soils in part shade.

Benefits from a 2-4” mulch which will help keep roots cool and moist in summer (It does not like shallow chalky soil) Bright red fruits are bitter and inedible to humans but are loved by birds will mature in late summer and early autumn after good hot weather.

Weed and mulch in spring, it will also benefit from some compost. Generally trouble free with no regular pruning necessary so it will suit someone who would just like to plant their tree and leave it be!

History: Cornus florida, commonly known as flowering dogwood, grows 9-15’ tall with a low-branching, broadly-pyramidal but somewhat flat-topped habit. It arguably may be the most beautiful of the native American flowering trees. It is native from Maine to southern Ontario to Illinois to Kansas south to Florida, Texas and Mexico. It is the state tree of Missouri and Virginia.

The true dogwood flowers are actually tiny, yellowish green and insignificant, being compacted into button-like clusters. However, each flower cluster is surrounded by four showy, white, petal-like bracts which open flat, giving the appearance of a single, large, 3-4” diameter, 4-petaled, white flower. Oval, dark green leaves (3-6” long) turn attractive shades of red in fall. Genus name comes from the Latin word cornu meaning hard and bony in reference to the hard wood of the tree.

Cultivation:  A small specimen tree  perfect for a small garden or can be kept in a pot

Soil:  Fertile neutral to acid soil. Unsuitable for shallow chalky soils.

Position: Full Sun

Foliage:  Dark green foliage turning a red and purple in autumn.

Flowering:  White/Pink petal like bracts in May.

Habit:  Large shrub or small tree

Hardiness: Fully Hardy

Growth: Moderate

Height & Spread in Maturity: 3 – 5 metres x 3-4 metres

Special features: Attracts: Birds, Butterflies