Melinda Myers

Flowering Dogwood

Botanical Name

Cornus florida

Hardiness

Zones 5 to 9

Height

Up to 30'

Width

Equal or greater than height

Flowers

Mid May: yellowish-green flower surrounded by four bracts of white, red, or pink

Fruit

Bright, shiny red, oblong

Fall Color

Red to reddish-purple

Light

Full sun to part shade

Soil

Cool, moist, well-drained, acidic with plenty of organic matter

Planting & Care

• Transplant balled and burlap while tree is still small
• Flowering dogwood does not tolerate heat, drought, pollution or salt

Problems

Borers, anthracnose, powdery mildew, canker, crown rot. Flower buds are often killed or injured by cold temperatures of Zone 5.

Varieties

• Cherokee Brave - pink bracts, 15'
• Cherokee Princess - large white bracts, heavy bloomer, reliable
• Cherokee Sunset - red bracts, variegated foliage with pink to yellow margins, good anthracnose resistance, 25'