Cornus florida

Cornus florida, or flowering dogwood, is a small deciduous tree, and one of the most beautiful of the native American flowering trees.  Flowering dogwood has green leaves that turn showy red in the fall and attractive white or pink blossoms that are followed by red fruits. The fruits mature in late summer to early fall and may persist until late in the year. Its attractive branching makes for year-round interest.

The Flowering dogwood is easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. It prefers moist, organically rich, acidic soils in part shade. It will benefit from a 2-4” mulch which will help keep roots cool and moist in summer.  It can withstand hot temperatures as long as the roots remain moist and well-mulched.

Fire Risk: This plant has a low flammability rating.

Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems:   Calico scale, dogwood borer, dogwood sawfly, Japanese maple scale, leafhoppers, oyster shell scale.   Dogwood anthracnose is not all that common, only occurs at 1800 feet or higher elevation. Spot anthracnose is more common.  Trees are also susceptible to powdery mildew, leaf spot, canker, root rot and leaf, and twig blight  crown canker, bacterial leaf scorch, powdery mildew, septoria leaf spot. The foliage is browsed by white-tailed deer and these trees do not withstand pollution.