Tree
Flowering Dogwood
Cornus florida
Features
White, pink or red "flowers" (actually bracts) in spring; clusters of small red fruit in autumn; fall color is reddish purple.
Culture
Partial shade to full sun. Prefers a moist, well drained, slightly acid soil. Although listed as hardy in zone 5, this tree may not perform well in the northern half of that zone, unless plants are selected from a northern seed source.
Cultivars
Numerous culitvars available, including:
- 'Cherokee Brave'- Flower bracts are deep pink with a white center.
- 'Cherokee Chief'- Flower bracts are deep, rose-red; new leaves emerge reddish.
- Cherokee Daybreak™ - Flower bracts are white; leaves are variegated with a white edge that resists scorching.
- 'Cherokee Princess'- Flower bracts are white and flowers are very large; flowers at an early age and flowers heavily.
- 'Cloud 9'- Flower bracts are white and overlap one another; flowers at an early age.
- 'Rubra' (var. rubra)- Flower bracts range from pink to reddish.
Mature Height
15-25 Feet
Size
Small
Mature Form
Rounded to slightly irregular; branching is fairly horizontal.
Native To:
United States (Illinois)
USDA Hardiness Zone
5 - 9
Soil Conditions
Moist, Well-Drained
Tolerance
Exposure/Light Requirements
Full Sun
Partial Sun/Shade
Uses
Massing
Patio
Specimen
Foliage Color
Green
Variegated
Fall Foliage Color
Purple
Red
Pests and Problems
Environmental Damage
Fungal Disease
Insect Damage
Additional pests and problems that may affect this plant:
Several problems affect this tree, including spot anthracnose (a leaf disease), dogwood anthracnod (a serious fungal disease), cankers, dogwood borer, and powdery mildew.
Additional Notes
Although listed as hardy in zone 5, this tree may not perform well in the northern half of that zone, unless plants are selected from a northern seed source.
Related Resources
Home, Yard & Garden Pest Guide
The Home, Yard & Garden Pest Guide (C1391) provides is written for homeowners and other residents and provides nonchemical and current chemical recommendations for controlling pests associated with trees, shrubs, turf, flowers, groundcovers, vegetables, fruit, and houses. In addition, you'll find detailed information about integrated pest management, pesticide safety, and pesticide application and calibration techniques. This publication may be purchased at your local University of Illinois Extension Unit office, or by calling 800-345-6087, or by placing an order online (search for "C1391").
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Illinois Commercial Landscape and Turfgrass Pest Management Handbook
The Illinois Commercial Landscape and Turfgrass Pest Management Handbook (ICLT) is written for professional applicators and provides nonchemical and current chemical recommendations as well as application timing information for all major pests of turf, woody ornamentals and herbaceous ornamentals. This publication may be purchased at your local University of Illinois Extension Unit office, or by calling 800-345-6087, or by placing an order online (search for "ICLT").
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U of IL - Distance Diagnosis through Digital Imaging
A free plant, weed, insect and disease identification service available through your local University of Illinois Extension office. Center Educators or State Specialists review & respond to information and digital images submitted by local Extension office personnel. Some samples may require further examination or culture work (nominal fee involved) at the U of IL Plant Clinic.
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U of IL - Plant Clinic
Services include plant and insect identification, diagnosis of disease, insect, weed and chemical injury (chemical injury on field crops only), nematode assays, and help with nutrient related problems, as well as recommendations involving these diagnoses. Microscopic examinations, laboratory culturing, virus assays, and nematode assays are some of the techniques used in the clinic.
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