Cornus hybrids
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- KOR-nus hai-bruhdz
- Description
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The Hybrid Flowering Dogwood is a cross between the Flowering Dogwood, Cornus Florida, and Kousa Dogwood, Cornus kousa, There are several cultivars available including 'Aurora,' 'Constellation,' 'Stellar Pink,' and 'Celestial.' These plants were developed by Elvin R. Orton, Jr of Rutgers University, and they are a part of the Stellar Series.
In the 1970s, our native Flowering Dogwood was severely impacted by anthracnose and was also susceptible to Dogwood borers. Dr. Orton crossed the two plants in hopes of developing a plant that would be resistant. In the 1990s, he introduced the Stellar Series. He also developed the fast-growing "Hyperion.' These plants are known to be resistant to borers and anthracnose. They are sometimes designated in commerce as Cornus x rutgersensis.
The genus name, Cornus, is Latin for the word, cornu, which means "horn." This references the hardness of the wood.
The Hybrid Flowering Dogwood is best grown in full sun to partial shade and in organically rich acidic soils. They prefer moist and well-drained soil. Mulching keeps the roots moist and cool during the hot summer.
Depending on the cultivar the height, width, habit, and flower color may differ. The cultivars are sterile.
Below are the descriptions of several of the popular cultivars.
- 'Aurora'--upright, showy creamy white overlapping flower bracts,
- 'Celestial'--dense, upright habit, up to 20 feet tall and wide, dark green leaves that turn purplish-red in the fall, blooms heavily, showy flowers emerge white tinged with green and mature to pink, small fruits are sterile
- 'Constellation'--low branching habit, up to 16-22 feet tall and 12-18 feet wide, oval dark green leaves that turn purplish-red in the fall, large showy white petal-like bracts, produces no fruit
- 'Stellar Pink'--dense, upright habit, up to 15-30 feet tall and wide, dark green leaves turn purplish-red in the fall, showy four-petaled pink flower, sterile and produces no fruit
The Flowering Hybrids are popular for home lawns and patios. They are attractive trees with showy flowers and would serve well as a specimen or in a small grouping.
Seasons of Interest: Foliage: Fall Bloom: Spring
Insects, Diseases, and Other Problems: Leaf miners and scale are less serious potential insect pests. These hybrids are resistant to anthracnose and Dogwood Borers.
The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common pests and diseases.
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Paul J Ciener Botanical Garden Woodland Backyard Garden Walk
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Aurora'
creamy white overlapping flower bracts - 'Celestial'
four bracts emerge white tinged with green and mature to pink - 'Constellation'
showy flat white petal-like bracts, purplish-red fall leaves - 'Hyperion'
fast-growing, profuse white flowers - 'Ruth Ellen'
brilliant white flower, hardiness zone 6a - 'Saturn'
large white flowers, compact, dense, wider than tall - 'Stardust'
white flowers, hardiness zone 6a, vigorous grower - 'Stellar Pink'
four showy flat petaled pink bracts, purplish-red fall leaves
- 'Aurora'
- 'Aurora', 'Celestial', 'Constellation', 'Hyperion', 'Ruth Ellen', 'Saturn', 'Stardust', 'Stellar Pink'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Aurora'
creamy white overlapping flower bracts - 'Celestial'
four bracts emerge white tinged with green and mature to pink - 'Constellation'
showy flat white petal-like bracts, purplish-red fall leaves - 'Hyperion'
fast-growing, profuse white flowers - 'Ruth Ellen'
brilliant white flower, hardiness zone 6a - 'Saturn'
large white flowers, compact, dense, wider than tall - 'Stardust'
white flowers, hardiness zone 6a, vigorous grower - 'Stellar Pink'
four showy flat petaled pink bracts, purplish-red fall leaves
- 'Aurora'
- 'Aurora', 'Celestial', 'Constellation', 'Hyperion', 'Ruth Ellen', 'Saturn', 'Stardust', 'Stellar Pink'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Cornus
- Species:
- hybrids
- Family:
- Cornaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Hybrid cultivated at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts birds and pollinating insects
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Resistant to anthracnose and Dogwood Borers
- Dimensions:
- Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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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
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 24-60 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Description:
- The cultivars are sterile and usually do not produce fruits.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Cross
- Flower Petals:
- Bracts
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- The blooms have showy, petal-like bracts that give the appearance of a single large four-petaled flower. The floral bracts may be spaced or overlapping, depending on the cultivar. The colors of the blooms may be white, creamy white, or pink, depending on the cultivar.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are dark green, simple, and opposite with entire margins. They are ovate to elliptical and measure 3 to 6 inches long, depending on the cultivar. The foliage turns purplish-red in the fall.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Patio
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Flowering Tree
- Small groups
- Small Tree
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
