The dogwood tree is prolific showcasing most of the year with coloful flowers, leaves, and berries.
Plus, a list of companion plants.
Winter brings bright red fruit for a final splash of color.
Credit:Bob Stefko
These trees are hardy inUSDA Zones3-8, thriving in moist air and part shade.
In a home landscape, they grow best in a partial shade location that receives some morning sun.
Plant a dogwood tree in fertile, well-draining soil with lots of organic matter and a slightly acidic pH.
Credit: Bill Stites
Dogwoods are usually used as specimen trees.
If you plant several, space them 20 feet apart.
Its pollen is particularly attractive topollinators, while its fruit is eaten by many species of birds.
Credit: Bob Stefko
The trees leaves decompose more quickly than most others, adding organic matter to the soil.
They can also be planted in the autumn but it should be done 46 weeks before the ground freezes.
While they soak, prepare the planting location.
Credit: Rob Cardillo
The soil must be well-draining and fertile.
If needed, dig in compost or organic matter.
Dig a hole that is at least a foot wider and the same depth as the root system.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Prepare the Hole
Form a mound of soil at the center of the hole.
Water the tree generously.
The top of the rootball should be barely visible.
Credit: Bill Stites
Dont pull the soil up over the top of the rootball.
A visible line on the sapling above the root system indicates the former soil line.
Berms are mounded hills of soil placed to control or redirect the flow of water.
Credit: Jon Jensen
Dogwood Tree Care Tips
Care requirements depend on the species of tree being grown.
Leave some fruit on the plant for wildlife to enjoy in the winter when little else is available.
Light
Some varieties of dogwood treestolerate full sun.
Credit: Andy Lyons
However, most prefer dappled sun and protection from full sun by bigger trees.
Understory trees are shade tolerant and grow under the shade of larger trees.
The trees should be kept moist, although they tolerate occasional dry spells once established.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Water more frequently if the leaves become light green or dry.
If the leaves look gray or droopy, cut back on watering.
Temperature and Humidity
Dogwood is quite cold-tolerant and easily survives winter freezes.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Fertilizer
When first planting dogwood, avoid over-fertilizing, which is damaging to young trees.
Use a nitrogen product in the beginning, following the manufacturers instructions.
Summer is the ideal time to prune since the plant experiences a heavy sap flow during winter and spring.
Credit: Jay Wilde
Pests and Problems
Dogwood may become infected withpowdery mildew.
Another common fungal disease is leaf spot.
A serious fungal disease that kills dogwood trees is dogwood anthracnose.
Credit: Karlis Grants
To avoid it, plant a resistant species or cultivar, such as Kousa dogwood(Cornus kousa).
Insects that are attracted to the trees include dogwood borers and scales.
Open wounds made by lawnmowers and string trimmers provide an entry point for borers.
Credit: Ed Gohlich
In addition, homeowners can apply permethrin as a solution.
How to Propagate Dogwood Tree
Dogwood is relatively easy to propagate.
In the summer, cut branches of new growth (softwood cuttings) 3 to 5 inches long.
Credit: Mavis Augustine Torke
Dont let any leaves touch the soil.
Cover the potted stem with a clear plastic bag and keep it evenly moist.
After about six weeks, tug at the stem to see if roots have formed.
Remove the bag and place the pot in a sunny spot.
Water regularly and use a half-strength liquid fertilizer every two weeks.
It bears loads of ruby-pink blooms in late spring.
It grows 20 feet tall and 25 feet wide.
Cherokee Sunset Flowering Dogwood
Cornus floridaCherokee Sunset is one of the most dramatic varieties.
It bears deep pink flowers and yellow-edged foliage.
It grows 20 feet tall and wide.
The compact tree grows 20 feet tall and 25 feet wide.
Zones 5-8
Rubra Flowering Dogwood
Cornus floridaRubra bears pink flowers in late spring.
The tree grows only 20 feet tall and 25 feet wide.
Even at a young age, it produces plenty of creamy white blooms.
It grows 22 feet tall and 15 feet high.
Its disease-resistant and grows 22 feet tall and 15 feet wide.
Zones 5-8
Satomi Dogwood
Cornus kousaSatomi is a disease-resistant selection with dark pink flowers in late spring.
It grows 22 feet tall and 15 feet high.
It grows 15 feet tall and wide.
Its purple-blue color is a good contrast to the white or pink of dogwood.
Zones 4-9
Astilbe
Shade-lovingastilbeis a summer-blooming perennial that flourishes in the same environment as the dogwood tree.
It produces spikes of beautiful white and pink flowers that add color and texture to a garden.
Zones 4-8
Mondo Grass
Mondo grassis low-maintenance and grows in shady locations without much attention.
Easy-to-grow mondo grass is a good alternative to turf grass in shade gardens, and it requiresno mowing.
This corner garden plan features several shrubs andtrees that look beautifulthroughout all four seasons.
Space plants properly to encourage healthy growth, reduce overcrowding, and minimize pruning.
Research plant sizes at full maturity for accurate spacing.
The species vary in bloom time, and the fruits and bark look different.
Kousa dogwood is native to Asia, whereas flowering dogwood and pagoda dogwood are native species.
No, some have a scent similar to honeysuckle.
You dont need two dogwood trees to bloom.
Most dogwood varieties have both male and female flowers on the same plant.
Landscaping with Berm.UC Master Gardener of Butte County.
The Real Dirt Blog.
Franklin, N. Jordan.Dogwood Diseases & Insect Pests.Home & Garden Information Center.
