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Cornus florida is the aristocrat of native
flowering trees. The Dogwood tree has four-season character; beautiful
flowers, summer and fall foliage, fruit and winter habit. It is
excellent as a specimen plant, near a patio or corner of a house, in
groupings, or against dark evergreens or building background where the
flowers can be accentuated.
The Dogwood tree is small and low-branched with horizontally spreading
lines. It has a layered effect usually with a flat-topped crown. At
maturity it is often wider than it is high. Dogwoods are slow to grow
after transplanting, but gradually assume a medium growth rate.
The leaf color of the Dogwood is a bronze-green to yellow-green when
unfolding, then turning a dark green in summer. It is one of the most
consistent trees for fall color turning a red to reddish purple. The
actual flowers are a greenish yellow and are surrounded by four showy
white or pink bracts which are each about 2" long. The Dogwood
flowers usually in mid to late April for 10-14 days, sometimes
longer. The fruit is a glossy red berry that forms in clusters of 3 or
more and ripens September to October and can persist into December if
not devoured by the birds. The Dogwood tree can grow 20 to 40 feet in
height with a spread equal to or greater than the height. It prefers
well-drained soil and grows best in partial sun.
Several cultivars to look for:
Cherokee Chief
Cherokee Princess
Cherokee Sunset (pinkish-red tipped growth)
Cloud Nine
Daybreak (variegated foliage)
Rubra
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