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Native alternative(s) for Cornus capitata subsp. angustata:
Cornus florida Cornus florida
Cornus racemosa Close up of flowers
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Camellia japonica Camellia japonica
Oxydendrum arboreum Oxydendrum arboreum showing red leaves of autumn.
Ptelea trifoliata Small tree in the landscape.

Chinese Evergreen Dogwood Cornus capitata subsp. angustata

Previously known as:

  • Cornus elliptica
Description

Chinese evergreen dogwood is an evergreen tree native to China. This small flowering tree or shrub with excellent fall color is in the Cornaceae (dogwood) family. The tree will grow12-20 feet tall and wide and is evergreen in zones 7 and up. It has attractive thick leathery leaves and blooms profusely from May to June with long-lasting flowers covering the tree.

Chinese evergreen dogwood prefers full sun to partial shade in organically rich moist well-drained soils. Use this plant as a specimen, an understory tree or in small groups in the yard. 

This dogwood blooms later in the season than the native dogwoods and helps to extend the bloom season of dogwood trees.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:

The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common pests and diseases.

 

VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.

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Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#showy flowers#small tree#specimen#white flowers#fall interest#understory tree#flowering tree#long-lasting flowers#small group plantings#bird friendly#landscape plant sleuths course
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#showy flowers#small tree#specimen#white flowers#fall interest#understory tree#flowering tree#long-lasting flowers#small group plantings#bird friendly#landscape plant sleuths course
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Cornus
    Species:
    capitata
    Family:
    Cornaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    China
    Wildlife Value:
    Birds will eat the fruits
    Edibility:
    Fruits are technically edible but are better left to the birds
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Multi-stemmed
    Multi-trunked
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Berry-like round fruits form in the center and are red at maturity. They are technically edible but are best left to the birds.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    3-6 inches
    Flower Description:
    The 4 pointed white bracts, up to 2 inches long, surround the insignificant true flowers that are yellowish-green. Bloom time is late May into June.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leathery
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Oblong
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Shiney green thick leathery leaves up to 3 inches long. Hairs present on the undersides. New growth has reddish hints and fall color is reddish to purplish. Margins may curl under.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Light Brown
    Light Gray
    Bark Description:
    Bark grey or greyish brown
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Branchlets grey-green with white hairs
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Naturalized Area
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Design Feature:
    Small groups
    Small Tree
    Specimen
    Understory Tree
    Attracts:
    Songbirds