Dogwood Shrub Varieties - Growing Shrub-Like Dogwoods

Most shrub-like dogwoods are in the Cornus genus and called dogwood, like Tatarian dogwood (Cornus alba). This variety of dogwood grows to 10 feet (3 m.) tall and offers small yellow flowers in spring. However, most gardeners choose this shrub-like dogwood for its red-hued stems in winter.

What is the difference between a kousa dogwood and white dogwood?

The four “petals” — botanically, they are bracts rather than petals — open creamy white, tapering to a point at their ends and, in the case of Kousa, turning pinkish as they age. The main difference in flowering between Kousa dogwood and our native flowering dogwood is timing.

What is the difference between Cornus kousa and Cornus florida?

The kousa dogwood tends to have leaves that are a bit smaller than the leaves of the florida; also, the blossoms appear a little bit later in the spring and are somewhat smaller, with the white petals having a slightly greenish appearance. The kousa dogwood is somewhat more drought tolerant than the florida.

What tree is similar to a dogwood?

The Bradford pear tree is a hybrid that produces small red and orange fruit in the fall. This tree also blooms vibrant soft pastel, pink and white flowers in the spring that look similar to dogwood blooms. Bradford pear trees also grow about the same size as some standard dogwoods.

Is Cornus the same as dogwood?

Flowering Cornus (dogwood) trees are grown for their showy coloured bracts in late spring and early summer. mas (the cornelian cherry) is grown for its winter flowers and summer fruits. ... This varied group of plants give great garden value.

Which dogwood is best?

The variegated dogwood is one of the finest foliage shrubs with floating horizontal branches and delicate green and white leaves. ...
Dark-red stems in winter remain decorative after the ochre and green leaves have fallen. ...
Tiny, golden flowers on bare stems in late winter before the white and green leaves unfurl.

Is Dogwood a tree or bush?

Dogwoods include a large group of flowering woody trees and shrubs within the genus Cornus. The genus also includes some species that are best described as subshrubs—fast-growing woody plants that tend to die back in winter to ground level and grow back from buds near the base of the plant.

What is the largest dogwood tree?

Abstract: A 31-foot-tall dogwood tree, discovered in Sampson County by A. J. Bullard of Mount Olive, has been declared the nation's tallest by the National Register of Big Trees. The dogwood has a circumference of 144 inches and crown spread of 48 feet.

Are dogwoods fragrant?

The Dogwood Tree is picky. Like a small child, Dogwoods may not adjust well to variances in water and nutrient matter. Also like a small child, Dogwoods can be a bit smelly, offering a strong, though not altogether unpleasant, fragrance.

What is the smallest dogwood tree?

Small Dogwood Tree Varieties

A cultivar of the Kousa dogwood, Little Poncho (Cornus kousa 'Little Poncho'), is one of the best-known mini dogwoods. This tree tops out at about 8 to 10 feet, according to Fast Growing Trees, and it thrives in USDA hardiness zones 5 to 8.

Why is it called dogwood?

Flowering dogwood is named for the showy spring flowers. The common name dogwood comes from one colonial description of the fruit as being edible but not fit for a dog. The common name dogwood is also thought to be from the use of the wood for skewers or “dogs.” Other common names include boxwood and cornel.

How big do dogwood shrubs get?

Dogwood shrubs are easy to care for, and they adapt well to pruning. The shrubs can grow from 6 to 9 feet, but can be trimmed into a more structured hedge.

How fast do dogwood shrubs grow?

This shrub grows at a fast rate, with height increases of more than 24" per year.

Where is the best place to plant a dogwood tree?

Selecting where to plant your dogwood: Choose a site for your dogwoods that is well-drained but does not get extremely dry. Soil high in organic matter is best. Dogwoods can be planted in full sun or partial shade, though partial shade is best (morning sun in particular).

How do you take care of a dogwood shrub?

Grow dogwood shrubs in full sun or part shade and moist soil. Many dogwood shrubs grow well in soil that is wet for short periods during the growing season, which makes them suitable for rain gardens and low spots in the landscape. Silky and red osier dogwoods are especially tolerant of consistently moist soil.

Is Dogwood an invasive plant?

The introduced Asian species, Cornus kousa (Kousa Dogwood), however, is almost totally resistant and never invasive. This is just one example of how native plants are no panacea in the constructed environment of homes, city streets, parking lots, schools and commercial buildings.

What is Dogwood good for?

People use American dogwood for headaches, fatigue, fever, and ongoing diarrhea. It is also used to increase strength, to stimulate appetite, and as a tonic. Some people apply American dogwood directly to the skin for boils and wounds. Be careful not to confuse it with Jamaican dogwood.

Are dogwood trees hard to grow?

The showy part of a dogwood flower is actually bracts, which are modified leaves that turn color. The true flower parts in the center of the bracts are less showy. Dogwoods are not difficult to grow if they are located in the proper site and if healthy trees are purchased and planted properly.

Do dogwood trees grow fast?

Growth Rate: Dogwoods grow at a slow to moderate rate (about 20 feet in 25 years). Ornamental Features: Each species brings its own value to the landscape. The “flowers” of the flowering dogwood and kousa dogwood are not actually flowers, but bracts, which are modified leaves that look like petals.

How far away from the house should you plant a dogwood tree?

Locating small trees

Medium-sized trees can be planted 15 feet from the house and generally 35 or more feet apart. Small trees, such as the flowering dogwood, may be planted as close as 6 feet from the house and about 20 feet apart.

Is Dogwood poisonous to dogs?

There are no species of dogwood trees or shrubs (Cornus spp.) that have been reported to be toxic to dogs. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals maintains a website of toxic and nontoxic plants for dogs, cats and horses online at this address http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/.

Can dogwood bushes grow in shade?

Many people plant dogwoods in full sun, and they can do well in full sun with proper care, but they are much hardier in shade. You should take care when pruning these trees as it is easy to compromise their natural shape with overzealous pruning, but trimming problem branches is recommended.