Flowering Dogwood
Cornus florida
America's beloved native flowering tree that announces spring with spectacular white or pink bracts followed by brilliant red fall color. This iconic shade tree provides year-round beauty with attractive layered branching and bright red berries that wildlife adore. A must-have for creating that classic American garden aesthetic.
Harvest
N/Ad
Days to harvest
Sun
KOR-nus FLOR-ih-dah
Zones
5–9
USDA hardiness
Height
15-25 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Flowering Dogwood in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 shade-tree →Zone Map
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Flowering Dogwood · Zones 5–9
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
Complete Growing Guide
Light: KOR-nus FLOR-ih-dah. Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally Dry. Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 15 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12-24 feet, 24-60 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Seed, Stem Cutting. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
Fruit is a glossy bright, shiny red, oval drupes (0.5 inch) in tight clusters of 3 or 4 that are bitter and inedible to humans but loved by birds. They display from August to October.
Color: Green, Red/Burgundy. Type: Berry, Drupe. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.
Garden value: Edible, Showy
Harvest time: Fall
Bloom time: Spring
History & Origin
Origin: South Eastern Canada, Eastern North America, to Eastern Mexico
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Compaction, Deer, Fire, Storm damage, Wind
- +Attracts: Butterflies, Pollinators, Small Mammals, Songbirds, Specialized Bees
- +Low maintenance
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Azalea
Shares similar acidic soil preferences and creates layered woodland garden structure
Hosta
Thrives in the partial shade created by dogwood canopy and adds complementary foliage texture
Rhododendron
Compatible acidic soil needs and blooms provide succession of spring color
Ferns
Naturally occurs with dogwoods in woodland settings, benefits from filtered light
Astilbe
Provides summer blooms in the partial shade and appreciates consistent moisture
Coral Bells
Colorful foliage complements dogwood's seasonal changes and tolerates shade
Wild Ginger
Native groundcover that thrives under dogwood's canopy and shares habitat preferences
Caladium
Shade-loving foliage plant that adds color contrast under the tree canopy
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Releases juglone toxin that can damage dogwood's root system and overall health
Eucalyptus
Allelopathic compounds inhibit growth of nearby plants including dogwoods
Turf Grass
Competes aggressively for water and nutrients, lawn mowers can damage shallow dogwood roots
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Susceptible to anthracnose and powdery mildew
Common Pests
Dogwood borer, scale insects, bagworms
Diseases
Dogwood anthracnose, powdery mildew, spot anthracnose