
White Dogwood Cornus florida
- Hardiness Zones. The white dogwood can be expected to grow in Hardiness Zones 5–9.
- Tree Type
- Mature Size. The white dogwood grows to a height of around 25' and a spread of around 25' at maturity.
- Growth Rate. This tree grows at a medium rate, with height increases of 13–24" per year.
- Sun Preference. ...
- Soil Preference. ...
- Attributes. ...
- Wildlife Value. ...
- History/Lore. ...
What is the life expectancy of a dogwood tree?
Dogwood Trees have an average lifespan of 80 years, but are vulnerable to fungus. The fruits, drupes, produced by the Dogwood Tree are eaten by migrating birds, deer, chipmunks, and black bears. The Dogwood Tree, Cornus florida, is a deciduous tree, easily distinguished by its showy white blossoms, berries, and distinguishable bark.
Are dogwoods fast growing trees?
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 fast growing?
The kousa dogwood is more likely to grow as a multi-trunk small tree or large bush, and it is more disease-resistant than its American cousin. Are kousa dogwoods fast-growing trees? Although they're not speedy growers, a healthy kousa dogwood tree can put on anywhere from 12 to 24 inches of new growth a year.
How tall do dogwoods get?
The tree displays medium growth, averaging between 13 and 24 inches annually. If carefully treated, a mature Dogwood tree species, such as the Flowering Dogwood, may reach 40 feet in height.

How long does it take a white dogwood tree to grow?
25 yearsHow Long Does It Take A White Dogwood Tree To Grow? This tree will reach a mature height of 20-30 feet and grow up to 20 feet within their first 25 years.
What is the fastest growing dogwood?
The Cornelian cherry dogwood (Cornus mas) is the fastest growing dogwood tree, with a growth rate of up to 24 inches (61 cm) per year. The kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa) is another fast-growing species, with a growth rate of up to 18 inches (46 cm) per year.
How many years does it take for a dogwood to bloom?
five to seven yearsDon't worry and be patient. Dogwoods often take five to seven years before they begin to bloom in earnest. The good news is that if it takes a while to bloom, it's because the plant is happy and healthy rather than because it's under stress, and should keep blooming away for years to come.
How can I make my dogwood grow faster?
For care of flowering dogwood trees, dogwoods that are planted in full sun must also rely on frequent watering, especially during hot conditions. While dogwoods will grow in a variety of climates and soil conditions, they typically grow best in, and even prefer, well-drained, humus-rich soil that is slightly acidic.
What is the prettiest dogwood tree?
10 best flowering dogwood varietiesCornus controversa 'Variegata'Cornus 'Eddie's White Wonder'Cornus florida.Cornus florida 'Cherokee Chief'Cornus kousa var chinensis.Cornus kousa 'China Girl'Cornus kousa 'Miss Satomi'Cornus kousa 'Schmetterling'More items...•
What is the best time to plant dogwood trees?
springThe survival rate for dogwoods is much better when they are planted in late fall than when they are planted in summer or winter--with early spring, of course, being the other good option for dogwood tree planting.
Do dogwoods have invasive roots?
Dogwoods are natural understory trees. They grow under larger trees, and their roots grow overtop of the larger roots of the big pines or oaks nearby. The deepest dogwood roots are often less than 3½ inches deep in the soil. Any roots deeper than that may rot off, especially in heavy soils.
Can dogwoods take full sun?
Dogwoods can be planted in full sun or partial shade, though partial shade is best (morning sun in particular). Dogwoods are typically an understory tree in the wild. Dogwoods are easy care trees that will likely bloom by their second year, but sometimes will bloom in their first year.
What does dogwood look like in summer?
Flowering Dogwood trees (Cornus florida and Cornus kousa) have large flower bracts in late spring to early summer that come in shades of white to rich pink.
What kills a dogwood tree?
Main-stem infections cause cankers, which kill the trees. In the South, infection is most likely at higher elevations and on moist to wet sites. Shade increases risk of infection and mortality. High-value trees can be protected by mulching, pruning, and watering during droughts, and applying a fungicide.
What is the prettiest flowering tree?
Here are 10 popular flowering trees that may be the right fit for your yard.Eastern Redbud.Saucer Magnolia.White Dogwood.Sweetbay Magnolia.Yoshino Cherry.Prairifire Flowering Crabapple.Kanzan Cherry.Shadblow Serviceberry.
Do dogwood trees need lots of water?
Dogwood trees should get about an inch of water each week from rain or irrigation. If rainfall is insufficient, water enough to soak several inches into the soil once a week. For newly planted trees, two gallons per week should be adequate except in drier, sandier soils where 6-8 gallons a week might be necessary.
What is the growth rate of a dogwood?
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. Growth Rate: Dogwoods grow at a slow to moderate rate (about 20 feet in 25 years).
How fast does red twig dogwood grow?
While many dogwoods are rather slow-growing plants, red twig dogwoods are among the faster-growing types. You can expect the plants to add at least 2 feet of growth each year.
How fast does a pink dogwood grow?
Growth Rate This tree grows at a medium rate, with height increases of 13–24" per year.
How fast does Cherokee Chief dogwood grow?
Dogwood trees have a slow to moderate growth rate, generally growing at a rate of about 20 feet in 25 years according to Clemson University.
Dogwoods: A Field Guide to the Tree
According to the species and its location, the height and spread might vary greatly. In the sun, the flowering dogwood can reach a height of 15 to 20 feet (flowering dogwood in the shade). The height of the spread may be even greater than the width.
Appearance
Trees of white dogwoods form an attractive, rounded appearance. These trees have a few trunks and a few tiers of branching. “Flowers” are actually bracts (modified leaves) with a few tiny flowers in the middle that bloom from late March to May. These bracts give way to shiny green leaves in the summer.
Zones of varying degrees of hardiness
Minimum winter temperatures are used to create USDA Hardiness Zones, which show the areas of the country where different plants can thrive. Zones 5-9 cover the majority of the country, with the exception of the far north and south.
Planting
Prior to tree development beginning, spring is an ideal time to plant white dogwoods. Plant in a location that receives dappled sunlight. Remove any garbage and turfgrass from the area, including weeds.
Conditions of Growth
There are few soil requirements for white dogwoods but they do require regular watering.
Alternating between direct and indirect light
Partial shade, often known as a dappled shadow, is ideal for white dogwoods. They need around four hours of direct sunlight each day to thrive.
Soil
These trees may thrive in a variety of soil types, including clay and sand. In contrast, they thrive in moist, loamy, and somewhat acidic soils. While their shallow roots necessitate that they remain moist, they do not appreciate wet feet.
How big do dogwood trees get?
Dogwood trees grow to different sizes depending on the species and cultivar. Most are moderate-sized trees ranging from 20 to 40 feet in height. Interestingly, all dogwoods grow at about the same, rather slow rate of less than one foot per year, according to Clemson University.
What is the flowering dogwood tree?
Flowering dogwood trees have distinctive flowers. While there are three well-known species of dogwood trees in America, only one is best known for its distinctive flowers. That one is the flowering dogwood, or Cornus florida, a highly popular choice among home gardeners, according to Clemson University. Advertisement.
How big does a C. kousa tree get?
C. kousa grows more like a shrub, with an average height and width of 20 feet. It will take this dogwood 10 years to reach a size of 15 feet, but the tree has a beautiful fall color.
Is dogwood hardier than native?
They are highly susceptible to pests and diseases, according to Rutgers University. For that reason, hybrids are usually hardier than native trees.
How big does a white dogwood get?
Mature Size. The white dogwood grows to a height of around 25' and a spread of around 25' at maturity.
When does a sage plant bloom?
Blooms April–May, with distinctive white bracts (modified leaves) surrounding a smaller insignificant flower. Produces glossy red fruit eaten by birds. Provides great fall color, with leaves turning red-purple. Grows in a rounded shape. Is a good choice for planting near utility lines, larger buildings or patios.
How much sun does a sage tree need?
Full sun and partial shade are best for this tree, meaning it prefers a minimum of four hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day.
What is the slow growing dogwood tree?
Slow-growing cultivars of flowering dogwood include Cherokee Princess, Barton's White, First Lady, Mystery and Purple Glory. If you are looking for a dogwood tree with a moderate growth rate, consider Cherokee Chief, Cherokee Daybreak and Cherokee Sunset. The Chinese dogwood, sometimes called kousa dogwood, grows a bit slower on average than flowering dogwood: about 10 feet in 15 years.
Where does dogwood grow?
Flowering dogwood is a widely planted landscape tree. Known for its bright, fragrant blossoms, it grows in areas all over the country, but especially in the South, where it is one of the most popular spring flowering trees. A number of cultivars (short for 'cultivated varieties') of flowering dogwood are available for landscape uses, and the growth rate depends on which one you choose.
What is a dogwood tree?
The Dogwood Tree is a majestic ornamental, well adapted to life in the United States. As long as you offer the tree plenty of water and sunshine, like most plants, the Dogwood will do just fine. There are over 50 species within the Cornus, or Dogwood, genus. These species vary wildly, from shrubs to deciduous temperate trees and evergreens. One of the most common species, and the one about which you’ve most likely heard, is the Flowering Dogwood. The state tree of Virginia, the Flowering Dogwood has conspicuous white to light yellow flowers that offer magnificent blooms in spring. Other species can be quite different; for example, the Blackfruit Cornel, native to California, has small yellow-green blooms and a fruit which turns black when ripe, thus the name. Whatever your desire, there is a Dogwood to suit your needs.
What type of soil do dogwoods like?
Soil – Plant in well-drained, moist soil that is not overly wet. Although adaptable to many soil types, Dogwoods prefer slightly acidic loam.
What causes dogwood leaves to turn grey?
Dogwood powdery mildew has also become a recent major threat to Dogwoods. The mildew, which often causes a whitish-gray powdery film on leaves that are also contorted, is easily treatable with fungicides, such as horticulture oil.
Why do dogswoods have anthracnose?
Dogwood anthracnose is a disease caused by the fungus Discula destructiva. For this reason it can be beneficial to plant your Dogwood in late spring, when warm temperatures will kill the fungus, which thrives in cooler, wet weather. Dogwood powdery mildew has also become a recent major threat to Dogwoods.
Why is dogwood anthracnose important?
Dogwood anthracnose is a disease caused by the fungus Discula destructiva.
What is the relationship between dogwood and property?
Choosing the right Dogwood for your property means considering what your location has to offer and for what you are looking. A symbiotic relationship, where both your Dogwood benefits from necessary water, sun, and nutrient supplies and you benefit from the best height, shade, and beauty of the Dogwood, is in everybody’s interests.
Is a dogwood tree picky?
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. The best similarity between a small child and the tree, though?
How long does it take for a dogwood tree to bloom?
Let’s look at how to grow dogwood trees. Flowering dogwoods range in color from white to pink or red and generally bloom for about two to four weeks in early spring. They also add summer and fall color, with rich green foliage color in summer and reddish purple leaves during fall.
Where do dogwood trees grow?
Tips For Caring For Dogwood Trees. Flowering dogwoods ( Cornus florida) are deciduous trees native to the eastern half of the United States. These trees can add year-round beauty to the landscape. Let’s look at how to grow dogwood trees. Flowering dogwoods range in color from white to pink or red and generally bloom for about two ...
What is a dogwood tree?
In their natural habitat, dogwoods are understory trees, which are generally surrounded or protected by other larger trees. Therefore, when caring for dogwood trees, this should be considered carefully before placement in the landscape. Locating these trees on the edge of wooded areas or in groups is oftentimes more suitable to their natural ...
What type of soil do dogwoods like?
While dogwoods will grow in a variety of climates and soil conditions, they typically grow best in, and even prefer, well-drained, humus-rich soil that is slightly acidic.
Can dogwoods be grown in shade?
They can also be used as a backdrop for azaleas or other spring-flowering shrubs. Flowering dogwoods can be grown in sun or shade, however, trees planted in partial shade generally perform better.
Do dogwood trees need pruning?
Dogwood trees seldom need pruning, however, it may be necessary to remove dead or injured branches, suckers, and diseased or insect-infested parts on occasion. Shaping trees may also help keep them more attractive looking.
Do dogwoods need fertilizer?
Most established trees do not require fertilizer. However, if you do choose to fertilize young dogwoods, use only a small amount of slow-release fertilizer.
