Rapidly-growing, adaptable to wet soils or dry soils, it features spectacular decorative features: stunning fall color, attractive berries, showy red stems and sometimes a lovely variegated summer foliage. They typically measure around an inch across and are edible. Apply 1 inch of water per week during the summer if there is not ample rainfall, according to the National Gardening Association. A good rule of thumb is to apply 1 cup of fertilizer for every inch of diameter in the tree's trunk. While the Dogwood is most notably an ornamental tree, particularly in North America, some varieties, like Cornus kousa and Cornus mas are sold as fruit trees. In fall through to late winter, the stems of this deciduous plant are bare, but they are a feast for the eyes in bright shades of red. It has become naturalized in parts of Australia, including the states of Victoria and New South Wales. The tree blooms in late spring, with flattened panicles of small white flowers clustered together. In leaves, chlorophyll produces the varying shades of green color. The varying layers of the cell tissue of the leaf will show varying effects, which create cream- or white-colored variegation to occur, mixed with areas of the leaf that contain ample chlorophyll to maintain its green coloration. They bloom in great numbers, creating an impressive floral display. It has leathery leaves in a bright shade of green, which sometimes takes on a purple color in the fall. The tree can be pruned prior to flowering or during flowering. By fall, these flowers give way to red berries that look very similar to strawberries, measuring around one inch across. In winter, the naked tree also maintains interest with its rich brown exfoliating bark. Then unique variegated leaves will fill in. This shrub tolerates heavy soils. The flowers give way to clusters of pink-red berries. 1. It can thrive in full sun, though in hot summer climates, it prefers shade in the afternoons. In spring, the tree blooms with showy clusters of tiny yellow flowers that arrive on the bare branches. Several species native to North American produce flowers for local pollinators and berries for wildlife. Due to its year-round appeal and small size, dogwood tree is one of the most sought after ornamental plants in Northern America. In spring, flowers bloom along the bare branches before the arrival of foliage. Cultivars and Varieties: Cornus nuttallii 'Goldspot'. Read on to learn more about this interesting flowering dogwood variety. Closely examine the leaves. In fall, the leaves fade to deep shades of red and purple before dropping to the ground. Variegated leaves and white berries of 'Argenteo-marginata' Growing Tatarian dogwood. Even partial shade will result in a less dramatic variegation appearance on the dogwood. She writes for numerous online publications. It also has more tolerance for alkaline soil than does flowering dogwood. These give way to black colored berries in late summer, which are popular among birds. Watering: Water your dogwood on a regular basis until it is established. When planted in the shade the green pigmentation will take over the leaf and soon the variegation will begin to disappear. These berries are edible but are generally not considered very flavorsome and have a bitter taste. Her writing has a strong focus on home improvement, gardening, parenting, pets and travel. The blooms give way to berries in summer, which are pink-red and round in shape. Variegated cultivars often show instability in their growth patterns and they will often develop shoots that contain all green leaves. By fall, the leaves develop to rich shades of purple and red before dropping from the tree. Throughout the northern hemisphere of the world, close to 50 varieties of dogwoods (Cornus) exist. They require little or no fertilizer but will grow better when a 2- to 3-inch thick layer of organic mulch is applied yearly. Each cutting should measure 6- to 9-inches long and have three or more leaf buds. Dogwood all other, including Redtwig, Gray, Yellowtwig and Variegated Prune these spring flowering shrubs soon after they have bloomed. The Akatsuki Dogwood (Cornus Kousa ‘Akatsuki”) is recommended for USDA growing zones 5-8 and is a small, deciduous tree that reaches a mature height and width of only 8-10 feet.It’s a perfect addition to any small garden that needs color all year long. This is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree that is native to Asia. Powdery mildew, an unsightly fungal infection, doesn't usually kill the tree but probably weakens it until another pest comes along and delivers the final blow. Bright spring flowers and vibrant fall foliage Prepare your lawn for multiple seasons of exciting color with the Celestial Shadow Dogwood. Size of Tree: Height: 20 to 30 feet Spread: 25 to 30 feet. It is small to medium in size, with a mature height ranging from 30 to 80 feet. Developed by the Rutgers University breeding program, this is a stable mutation (or sport) of the popular Stellar Pink® variety of dogwood tree that is the result of crossing two varieties (Cornus kousa and Cornus florida). This tree also blooms about a month later than the flowering dogwood, and its petal-like bract that forms the flowers have more pointed tips, as opposed to the flowering dogwood that has rounded bracts. Dogwood shrubs, such as red twig dogwoods, are not to be confused with dogwood trees. Variegated leaf varieties contain less chlorophyll than their green leafed relatives. Cornus alternifolia ‘Argentea’ is a variegated form … The 'Wolf Eyes' kousa dogwood has a smaller stature than most dogwoods and it has variegated green leaves with a cream border. Adequate water will help insure the variegated dogwood maintains its health and appearance. The plant's common name derives from the tiered, pagoda-like shape of the growth habit, and the Latin species name derives from the alternate position of the leaves on the stems. 15 Popular Types of Dogwood All variegated dogwood trees and shrubs grow slower than green leaf varieties. Variegated dogwood trees that experience stress will often show leaf scorch on the white of the variegation. For care of flowering dogwood trees, regular watering once a week to a depth of 6 inches should suffice. This is a low maintenance tree that is easy to grow and has good resistance to pests and disease. These fruits are edible though they are not considered to be very tasty and are usually only consumed by birds. Cornus florida Growing and Care Guide. To produce yellow or cream variegation, some yellow pigment must exist within the leaf. The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly. Fertilize in the spring with a well balanced 10-10-10 or 12-12-12 fertilizer. Based in Oregon, Kimberly Sharpe has been a writer since 2006. Begin fertilizing the dogwood tree in its second year of life. Plant variegated dogwood trees in full sunlight to maintain their variegation color. Cultivars and Varieties: Cornus kousa 'Miss Satomi', Cornus kousa' China Girl', Cornus kousa' White Fountain'. The best time to prune is in the late fall or winter while the tree is dormant. The flower of this tree has been British Columbia's provincial flower since 1956, and a law was imposed to protect the species in this province, though it was revoked in 2002. It is a deciduous plant that is most commonly grown as a small tree but can also be grown as a multi-stemmed shrub. Mature size is around 6-8' tall and wide. Low limbs can be removed if they impend walkways or other areas. Small creamy white flowers in flat clusters bloom in June. The foliage of these trees is ovate, and each leaf can measure between three and six inches long. A branch that grows beneath the grafting point will have characteristics of one of the original trees used for the hybrid, rather than the hybrid dogwood itself. The European Variegated Dogwood has a mix of cream and green foliage. Cultivars and Varieties: Cornus controversa' Variegata', Cornus controversa ‘Pagoda’. Aesthetically, this tree looks very similar to the flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) but can be distinguished by its branches that have a more upright habit. Cornus kousa trees bear a sweet fruit with flesh that tastes like a tropical pudding, while Cornus mas produce fruits … Early every spring hundreds of bright, cotton white blooms will emerge all over the tree. It is commonly known as the wedding cake dogwood because of the way its horizontal branches are layered on top of each other to resemble the look of a tiered wedding cake. Learn more. Cultivars and Varieties: Cornus alba 'Sibirica'-Siberian Dogwood, Cornus alba 'Kesselringii'-Black Stem Dogwood, Cornus alba ‘Elegantissima’-White Dogwood. Apply 2 inches of mulch around the base of the dogwood tree to keep unwanted weeds at bay and also help the soil retain water. Dogwood Tree Care. Fertilize the tree after it reaches two years of age with a 12-4-8 formula, at the rate suggested on the package, in February and June. The plant produces many suckers that allow it to spread to a wide shrub, but if grown as a tree, you will need to remove suckers as they appear and focus on one central stem to form the trunk of the tree. The flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) is the species most people think of when the word dogwood is mentioned.Although it is considered one of the favorite trees in the south, there are two other species, kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa) and Cornelian cherry dogwood (Cornus mas), which will grow in all areas of South Carolina except along the coast from Charleston to Savannah, Ga. They are most popular among birds. Variegated dogwood shrubs should be planted from late fall to early spring, while they are dormant. The tree has a horizontal branching habit that gives it a flat canopy shape. Tiny flowers are borne in dense clusters, sometimes with … Variegated dogwood trees that experience stress will often show leaf scorch on the white of the variegation. It thrives in a well-draining soil that is kept evenly moist, though it does have some tolerance of drought once established. Small tree that grows with a tiered habit like a pagoda. It will grow in a variety of soil conditions, including wet soils, dry soils, and poor soils, though will perform best in a well-draining soil that is kept evenly moist. Once established, water the tree at least up to six inches. Besides leaf color (with brighter color), all … As mentioned already, there are several species of dogwood trees, of which a few species are preferred for gardening and landscaping purposes. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! The lack of chlorophyll causes leaves and buds to develop slowly. Apply the fertilizer when the buds of the tree first appear. It can be grown in full sun or partial shade and thrives in moist, well-draining soils. It is native to Siberia, Korea and parts of China and can be grown as a small tree, or a medium to large shrub. The foliage of this dogwood arrives in a medium shade of bright green and deepens to a dark green as it matures. These include American dogwood, Florida dogwood, white dogwood, Indian arrowwood, white cornel, Cornelian tree, false box, and false boxwood. They are ordinarily dark green but fade to yellow-orange in the fall before dropping. The most popular example of this tree is the 'Variegata' cultivar, which has green leaves with creamy white margins. Maintain moist soil and avoid humid and very hot climates. Soil pH 5.5 to 7.0, Have your soil tested by the U of M Soil Testing Lab. It has also become naturalized in the state of New York. The tree grows up to 20-30 feet and its spread can also be about 25-30 feet. The flowers are white, with five rounded bract 'petals' that spread out into a flat star shape. How to Grow: Dogwood trees prefer nutrient rich well-drained soil and grow best in partial sun. This tree is native to parts of Asia, including China and Japan, and is accordingly also known as Chinese dogwood and Japanese dogwood. Around 80 cultivars now exist and most are available in variegated leaf form, according to the University of Tennessee. Dogwoods enjoy moist, well-draining soil conditions. These plants grow best in a sheltered position, in full sun to partial shade. Flowers appear in late spring, in clusters filled with small cream-colored flowers that measure around two inches across. Wedding cake tree care for young plants should be consistent until establishment but mature variegated giant dogwood trees are quite hardy and tolerant provided they are kept moist. In fall, the foliage develops to a dark purple before being shed. By mid-summer, the flowers will give way to dense clusters of berries that are usually white flushed with hints of blue. The fall coloring is a mottled red and then turns into a deep red come winter. Hardiness zone: 3 to 7; Plant in full sun to part shade; Best soil properties for Tatarian dogwood: Sandy to clay soils. Due to the variegated tree's lack of chlorophyll, the tree is the first to show brilliant fall colors each year. This type of wedding cake dogwood tree is also typically around ten to twenty feet smaller than the standard wedding cake dogwood. This type of dogwood is highly ornamental, making a colorful display that changes with the seasons. This tree grows best in well-draining soil that is kept consistently moist. Cultivars and Varieties: Cornus capitata 'Mountain Moon'. It is important to follow the natural shape of the plant; pruning should be done to enhance it, rather than alter it. In spring, the leaves are a combination of bright green and white with variegated edges. The blooms consist of a cluster of tiny flowers that are surrounded by large white bracts that mimic the look of petals. However, adding a generous layer of mulch will … Cultivars and Varieties: Cornus mas' Early Yellow', Cornus mas 'Gourmet', Cornus mas 'Jolico'. Adding a generous amount of mulch will help retain the water and cut down on watering tasks. In fall, the foliage develops into attractive shades of red and purple. Dogwood shrubs let you enjoy many of the characteristics of dogwood trees on a smaller scale. Cornus alternifolia: Pagoda Dogwood. These bracts look like petals, and they are considered to be the flowers of the plant, although they do not technically fit this description. for 1+3, enter 4. This deciduous tree is native to western North America, from British Columbia in Canada down to California in the United States. This tree is known for being more disease-resistant and hardier than the flowering dogwood, so it may be a good alternative to this plant if you live in a cooler region. Top prune the plant to improve the shape and reduce its size, but be careful not to remove more than 30% of the top growth. Shoots that have reverted to solid green should be pruned out because they grow aggressively and will take over the variegated portion of the shrub. It thrives in partial sun, and though it can tolerate a position of full sun, it will become dense and more prone to disease. They enjoy a well-draining soil that is organically rich. Dogwoods grow as large, multi-stemmed shrubs or as small to moderate size trees. This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions. This is a hardy tree that is capable of withstanding very low temperatures and is ideal for growing in cold climates. Foliage is green and fall color is red to purple. Dogwood Tree Care: Disease and Pests Aphids and powdery mildew can be a problem, but a fungicidal application and horticultural oils in spring can help prevent insects and diseases. Variegated leaves occur when a tree is bred to produce mutations in chlorophyll production. Water the tree regularly during the initial months and hot spells. Select a healthy, pencil-thick variegated dogwood branch long enough to supply the number of cuttings. It provides all year interest in spite of being deciduous. The berries can last right through to winter on the tree unless they are feasted on by birds. Fertilize in the spring with a well balanced 10-10-10 or 12-12-12 fertilizer. Throughout the northern hemisphere of the world, close to 50 varieties of dogwoods (Cornus) exist. The foliage of the tree varies depending on variety, but leaves are usually ovate in solid bright green or variegated with a swirling mixture of green and cream. All Rights Reserved. Life Cycle / Plant Type: Deciduous Shrub, Ornamental Tree, Creeping Perennial. All summer long this bushy shrub has attractive green leaves edged in creamy-white, adding sparkle and color to any part of your garden.Then in fall and winter the bare stems glow, with rich red bark that really makes them stand out against snow or evergreens. Read on to learn all the dogwood tree information you need to know to add this flowering ornamental species to your yard and have it thrive for decades to come, including dogwood trees planting and care … Solve this simple math problem and enter the result. This tree is known for being more disease-resistant and hardier than the flowering dogwood, so it may be a good alternative to this plant if you live in a cooler region. Berries form on the tree in midsummer, which are a glossy cherry-like fruit in a bright shade of red. We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. The flower of the dogwood tree is the state flower of North Carolina. By late winter, the red stems are more vivid than most other types of dogwood. 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