Dogwood Tree Types Common Varieties Of Dogwood Trees

Let's look at the four different types of dogwood trees best suited to cultivated landscapes.

Flowering Dogwood. Of all the varieties of dogwood, gardeners are most familiar with the flowering dogwood (Cornus florida). ...
Kousa Dogwood. ...
Pacific Dogwood. ...
Cornelian Cherry Dogwood.

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.

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.

What type of dogwood do I have?

You can identify a dogwood by looking for smooth-edged leaves with veins that curve parallel to the margins (edges). Flowers may or may not feature large bracts like those of the flowering dogwood (Cornus florida). After pollination, they produce a type of fruit known as a drupe.

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.

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.

What can I plant under a dogwood tree?

Choose woodland-origin, shallow-rooted spring-blooming perennials, like cranesbill (Geranium maculatum), sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum), dead nettle (Lamium maculatum) and astilbe (Astilbe x arendsii), rather than more aggressive woody shrubs to add more flowers when your dogwood is in bloom.

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).

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 toxic 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/.

Why is it called a dogwood tree?

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.

Can you keep Dogwood small?

A dogwood grows 1 or 2 feet each year until it's about 25 feet tall. You can keep the tree a bit shorter by heading upright branches back by one-third each year, but this may produce a tree that spreads wider than the usual 25 feet.

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.

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.

Do dogwoods spread?

General Information on Dogwoods. Mature Height/Spread: The height and spread varies depending on the species and its location in the landscape. The height ranges from 15 to 20 feet tall (flowering dogwood in the sun) to 40 feet tall (flowering dogwood in the shade). The spread may be even greater than the height.

How quickly does dogwood grow?

Dogwood Pruning and Aftercare

Dogwood is as tough as it looks and will thrive after a harsh cutback. In spring, before the buds appear, remove almost a third of the stem. It has a quick growth rate with an annual reach of 40-60cm, so don't worry about removing too much, it will grow back.

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.

Are there male and female dogwood trees?

ANSWER: North American dogwoods, Cornus species, are all hermaphroditic with both male (stamens and anthers) and female (stigma, style and ovary) flower parts. ... You can see the Cornus species that occur in North America on the USDA Plants Database.

Is there a dwarf dogwood tree?

Dwarf dogwood, is also known as bunchberry, bunchberry dogwood, and Canadian dwarf cornel. This perennial sub-shrub is a diminutive member of the dogwood family (Cornaceae). ... The form of dwarf dogwood's inflorescence, leaf shape and leaf venation are very similar to its relative, the flowering dogwood tree.

Are coffee grounds good for dogwood trees?

The answer is yes! Coffee grounds make an excellent ground mulch, especially for acid-loving plants.

What is the best time to plant dogwood trees?

Planting Dogwood Care

Bare root and burlap dogwood trees should be transplanted in late fall or early spring. Container grown trees can be transplanted anytime of the year, provided they are watered regularly after planting. A dogwood should be planted about two-thirds the depth of its root ball.

Are dogwood trees deep rooted?

Dogwoods have shallow roots, and even with dappled shade, these root systems will dry quickly. Water the tree to a depth of three feet, and observe the leaves for signs of over or under watering. If the leaves are light-green, prickly, or crispy, the tree needs more water.