Flowering Dogwood is a small, low branching native deciduous tree with a broadly-pyramidal habit. Its dark green leaves turn turn an attractive red in fall. The tiny green flowers surrounded by large white brackets start blooming from early spring before the foliage emerges and continues to mid spring attracting butterflies. Prefers part sun and slightly acidic, moist, well-drained soil.
Cornus florida is a host for Spring Azure butterfly and Cecropia Silkmoth, and supports several specialized bees. The fruits are browsed by songbirds and mammals. Learn more about planting for butterflies with Georgia natives with this brochure.
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Type:
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Tree
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Origins:
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S. and E. North America; GA Native
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Height:
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15' - 30'
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Spread:
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15’ - 30'
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Spacing:
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20'
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USDA Hardiness Zone:
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5 - 9
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Culture:
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Full Sun, Part Sun
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Bloom Color:
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White
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Season of Interest:
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Spring, Fall
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MAINTENANCE NEEDS: Low Maintenance. Prone to leaf scorching or spots in full sun. Stressed Dogwoods are susceptible to leaf spot, crown canker, root rot, powdery mildew, blight, and anthracnose. Anthracnose can be a serious problem. Mulching will help keep roots cool in summer.
LANDSCAPE USES: Accents or Group Plantings, Borders, Woodland Gardens, Naturalized Areas, Ponds or streams, Foundational Plantings.
COMPANION PLANTS: Itea, Eastern Redbud, Clethra
IMAGES: H. Zell, Cornus florida 001, CC BY-SA 3.0, (2)
Photo by and (c)2007 Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man), Flowering Dogwood Cornus florida Tree Flowers 3008px, CC BY-SA 2.5, (3) Photo by
Bri Weldon,
Cornus florida, (4)
Rob Duval, Cornus florida-bark, CC BY-SA 3.0, (5)
anonymous, Dogwood fall 0353, CC BY-SA 3.0
*As plants have ranges in appearance they may not appear as the images shown.
