Flowering Dogwood

Cornus florida

Flowering Dogwood is one of America's most beloved native trees — clouds of white or pink blooms in spring, red berries loved by birds in fall, gorgeous crimson-purple fall foliage, and beautiful horizontal branching structure in winter. It's a true four-season tree. The state tree of Virginia, Missouri, and North Carolina.

Hardiness Zones

5-9

Sunlight

Partial Sun

Water Needs

Moderate

Maintenance

Low

Mature Size

15-30 ft H × 15-25 ft W

Growth Rate

Moderate

Bloom Season

Spring

Bloom Color

White, Pink, Red bracts

Care Guide

Plant in partial shade with moist, acidic, well-drained soil. Afternoon shade protects from heat stress. Mulch to keep roots cool and moist. Avoid mechanical damage to trunk (susceptible to borers). Water during drought. Choose anthracnose-resistant cultivars like 'Appalachian Spring'.

Landscape Uses

Understory treeSpecimen treeWoodland gardensSpring focal pointSmall yards

Best Growing Regions

southeastnortheastmidwest

Great Companion Plants

AzaleaRhododendron spp.

HostaHosta spp.

Ferns

HydrangeaHydrangea macrophylla

Coral BellsHeuchera spp.

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