Cornus florida
treeFlowering dogwood (Cornus florida) is the beloved native understory tree of eastern woods, 15 to 25 ft tall, wreathed in spring in showy white (or pink) bracts, followed by glossy red berries in fall and deep maroon foliage. A small, layered, graceful tree of dappled woodland edges, it was traditionally valued for its dense, hard wood. It is grown above all as one of the finest flowering ornamentals for light shade, and its bark is the traditionally harvested part. It needs cool, moist, acid soil and protection from hot afternoon sun.
Sun
partial shade
Water
Every 10 days
Harvest
~180 days
Difficulty
medium
Lifecycle
perennial
Comes back every year
Spacing
15-20 ft apart
Planting Depth
Set root flare at or slightly above soil line
Soil pH
5.5-7.0
Soil Type
Rich, moist, acidic, well-draining
Hardiness Zones
Zones 5 – 9
When to Fertilize
Light spring feed; keep mulched
Fertilizer
Acidic or balanced; low needs
Flowering dogwood is a woodland-edge tree: give it morning sun and afternoon shade (full sun only where summers are cool and the soil stays moist) in rich, moist, acidic, well-drained soil high in organic matter. Plant in spring, mulch to keep the shallow roots cool and damp, and water in dry spells - drought stress invites borers and disease. It is slow to medium growing and resents deep planting and root disturbance. Set the root flare at the surface and keep mulch off the trunk. In cool, moist, lightly shaded sites it is long-lived and trouble-free.
Direct sow
Apr 29
Projected first harvest
Oct 26
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
A serious fungal disease at cooler, higher, damp sites - give morning sun and airflow, keep foliage dry, and remove infected leaves and twigs
Bores stressed or wounded trunks; avoid bark injuries (mowers, trimmers) and keep the tree vigorous
White film on leaves in humid shade; choose resistant selections and ensure airflow
Harvest the bark in fall, traditionally, when its bitter principle was considered strongest, taking it only from branches removed in pruning rather than from the trunk of this slow, special tree. Peel and dry the inner bark thoroughly for use as a bitter tea. Given how prized the tree is as an ornamental, most growers take only what prunings yield. The red fall berries are for the birds - they are not a human food.
Flowering dogwood is not a food plant - its bright berries are for wildlife, not people - and it is grown chiefly as one of the most beautiful native flowering trees for light shade. Its dense, hard wood was historically prized for tool handles and mallets. Its real reward in the garden is the spring bloom, the fall color and berries, and the birds it feeds.
For educational and informational purposes only — HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.