Flowering Dogwood

One of the most beloved native ornamental trees in the eastern United States, Flowering Dogwood is a small deciduous tree that brings four-season interest and vital wildlife support to the landscape.

In early to mid-spring, before its leaves emerge, Flowering Dogwood bursts into a display of white or pink "flowers" - these are actually bracts surrounding small, yellow-green true flowers. These bracts draw pollinators like native bees and early butterflies. The medium-green summer foliage transitions to deep red and burgundy in autumn, accompanied by clusters of glossy red berries that are quickly snapped up by migrating songbirds.

Prefers part shade and well-drained, acidic soils rich in organic matter, making it ideal for woodland edges, understory plantings, and gardens mimicking natural forest conditions. A larval host to numerous Lepidoptera species, including the Spring Azure (Celastrina ladon) butterfly and the Dogwood Sawfly, Flowering Dogwood is a fantastic pick for almost any partiall shaded yard.

• Avoid overwatering or compacted soils; root rot can be an issue.
• Mulch lightly, but don’t pile against the trunk.
• Prune for shape or crossing branches in late fall or winter.
• Best planted in partial shade with morning sun.