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Aboretum

Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida)

"Elegant spring blossoms, vibrant autumn color, and bright red berries make Flowering Dogwood one of North America's most cherished native trees."

Take a Moment: Pause beneath the branches in spring and admire the showy white or pink bracts that seem to float among the emerging leaves. Return in autumn to discover brilliant scarlet foliage and clusters of bright red berries.

Why We Love This Tree

Flowering Dogwood offers beauty in every season. Its spring blooms, layered branching, colorful fall foliage, and winter berries create year-round interest in the landscape.

Its enduring beauty reminds us that some of nature's greatest treasures reveal themselves season after season.

 

 

flowering dogwood in summer

Flowering Dogwood in Summer

 
 

 

Meet the Tree

Native to the forests of eastern North America, Flowering Dogwood is a small understory tree that thrives beneath larger woodland canopies. Its iconic white "flowers" are actually four showy bracts that surround a cluster of tiny true flowers.

Long valued as both a landscape tree and a symbol of spring, Flowering Dogwood continues to be one of the most recognizable native trees in American gardens and forests.

Ecological Benefits

Flowering Dogwood is an exceptional wildlife tree. Its nectar-rich flowers support native pollinators, while its berries provide an important food source for more than 35 species of birds. Dense branching also offers nesting sites and protective cover for wildlife.

Did You Know?


The colorful "petals" of a Flowering Dogwood are actually modified leaves called bracts. The true flowers are the tiny blossoms clustered in the center.

Quick Facts

Native: Eastern North America

Type: Deciduous Tree

Size: 15 to 30 ft tall × 15 to 30 ft wide

Sun: Partial Shade to Full Sun

Water: Moderate

Growth Rate: Slow to Medium

Flowers: White or pink bracts surrounding small flowers in spring

Fall Color: Scarlet to burgundy

Botanical Profile

Family: Cornaceae

Common Names: Flowering Dogwood

Genus Meaning: Cornus is the Latin name for dogwood.

Species Meaning: florida means "flowering."

How to Recognize It

Look for these distinctive characteristics:

  • Four white showy bracts in spring
  • Layered horizontal branching
  • Opposite oval leaves
  • Bright red berries
  • Blocky gray bark on mature trees
  • Brilliant red fall color

Growing Conditions

Light: Partial shade to full sun

Soil: Rich, moist, well-drained soil

Moisture: Moderate

Hardiness: USDA Zones 5 to 9

Tolerance: Partial shade and woodland conditions