Dogwood
Cornus florida
DESCRIPTION: This is a group of popular, deciduous, flowering trees and shrubs.
They are valued for their beautiful flowers, which last longer than the flowers
of most other trees; their ornamental fruits; their rich green foliage that
turns dark red or orange in autumn; and finally, their attractive bark that
is marked with horizontal bands. The tree types make gorgeous lawn ornaments
and provide substantial shade. C. florida (Flowering Dogwood) is a large shrub
or small tree native to eastern North America. It is one of the most popular
of the Dogwoods. This Dogwood can grow from 15 to 30 feet high. The medium
green, 3- to 4-inch leaves open a pinkish-green color and turn scarlet in
the autumn. The white flowers are 3 to 5 inches across. Each petal-like bract
has a notch at its tip. These flowers are followed by clusters of glossy red
berries. The bark is almost completely black and, on old trees, is deeply
furrowed in a checkerboard pattern. C. florida var. rubra (Pink Flowering
Dogwood) has blossoms that vary in color from blush white to dark pink. C.
mas (Cornelian Cherry) is a deciduous large, spreading shrub or small tree
growing up to 25 feet high. This native of Europe produces an abundance of
yellow flowers on leafless twigs in late winter; the blossoms are followed
by bright red, edible fruits. Its foliage turns reddish-purple in the fall.
C. alba (Tartarian Dogwood) is a deciduous plant that forms clumps of stems
reaching a height of up to 10 feet. The young twigs are an intense, blood
red in the winter and the leaves turn many beautiful colors. The fruits are
white to very pale blue. C. canadensis (Bunchberry) is a native from Newfoundland
to Alaska and southwards to West Virginia; it is also found in eastern Asia.
The Bunchberry is really not a shrub, but an herbaceous perennial with creeping,
woody roots. The shoots are covered with whorled leaves. It grows 6 to 9 feet
high and produces inflorescences of small flowers surrounded by 4 to 6, attractive,
white bracts. These are followed by bunches of bright red fruits.
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POTTING: Although Dogwoods aren't fussy plants, different types do have different
requirements. The clump-forming varieties are the most adaptable. They'll
withstand poor, thin, shallow, dry or wet soil and full sun to shade. The
rest of the group should be grown in moist, but well drained, acidic soil
(pH 5.5 to 6.5) that has been enriched with leaf mold or peat moss. They will
not survive drought or constantly wet ground. All the varieties need protection
from very strong wind. Those planted in the cooler regions should be in a
location with full sun exposure; those in the warmer parts should have a lightly
shaded position. Planting should be done in the spring or fall; young trees
about 10 feet high should be chosen. Pruning the trees should be kept to a
minimum because Dogwood trees are slow to recuperate. The main object is to
cut out thin, weak, overcrowded branches and limit them to a single, main
trunk. The shrubby varieties spread readily, therefore a hard pruning is necessary
to prevent their overgrowth.
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PROPAGATION: These plants can be increased by hardwood cuttings or layering
in the fall. Seeds can also be sown in a cold frame when ripe.
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VARIETIES: C. amomum (Silky Dogwood); C. Canadensis (Bunchberry); C. capitata
(Evergreen Dogwood); C. officinalis (Japanese Cornelian Cherry).
C. Ascona; C. Eddie's White Wonder; (crosses between C. florida & C. nuttallii).
C. Norman Hadden; C. Ormonde; C. Porlock; (crosses between C. kousa &
C. capitata).
C. alba & var. aurea, elegantissima, gouchaltii, kesselringii, sibirica,
sibirica variegata, spaethii.
C. alternifolia (Pagoda Dogwood) & var. argentea.
C. controversa (Giant Dogwood) & var. variegata
C. florida & var. Cherokee Chief, Cloud Nine, First Lady, Rainbow, Rubra
Group, Tricolor, Welchii, White Cloud.
C. kousa (Kousa Dogwood, Japanese Dogwood) & var. chinensis (Chinese Dogwood),
Gold Star, Satomi, Snowboy.
C. mas & var. Aurea, Aurea Elegantissima, Tricolor, Variegata.
C. nuttallii (Pacific Dogwood, Western Dogwood) & var. Colrigo Giant,
Gold Spot, North Star, Portlemouth.
C. sanguinea & var. Winter Beauty, Winter Flame.
C. stolonifera (Red-Twig Dogwood) & var. Flaviramea (Yellow-Twig Dogwood),
Kelseyi, White Gold, White Spot.