Flowering Dogwood
Cornus florida
Also listed as Benthamidia florida, Cynoxylon floridum
Also known as Dogwood, Eastern Flowering Dogwood, Flowering Cornel
Climate Match for your location
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A native understory tree valued for its showy white (or pink) spring bracts that resemble flowers, followed by attractive red fall foliage and fruit. It prefers partial shade and is ideal for woodland gardens and residential landscapes.
Why grow it
Flowering dogwood offers reliable spring interest through its distinctive bracts rather than true flowers, making it a dependable choice for woodland understory plantings where it typically outperforms many competing ornamentals. Compared to other native dogwoods, it provides earlier and more abundant flowering displays, though it requires more consistent moisture and shade than shrubby alternatives like gray dogwood or silky dogwood.
Watch out for
This species performs best with consistent soil moisture during establishment and struggles in hot, dry sites or heavy clay without amendment. Powdery mildew can reduce aesthetic value in humid regions with poor air circulation, and spider mites occasionally trouble stressed plants in dry conditions.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Cornaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Sub-canopy
Smaller trees living beneath the canopy.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A native understory tree valued for its showy white (or pink) spring bracts that resemble flowers, followed by attractive red fall foliage and fruit. It prefers partial shade and is ideal for woodland gardens and residential landscapes.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Flowering Dogwood grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Flowering dogwood offers reliable spring interest through its distinctive bracts rather than true flowers, making it a dependable choice for woodland understory plantings where it typically outperforms many competing ornamentals. Compared to other native dogwoods, it provides earlier and more abundant flowering displays, though it requires more consistent moisture and shade than shrubby alternatives like gray dogwood or silky dogwood.
Watch out for
This species performs best with consistent soil moisture during establishment and struggles in hot, dry sites or heavy clay without amendment. Powdery mildew can reduce aesthetic value in humid regions with poor air circulation, and spider mites occasionally trouble stressed plants in dry conditions.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Cornaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Sub-canopy
Smaller trees living beneath the canopy.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar sub-canopy trees you might consider:
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