Dogwood (Flowering) Growing Guide

Cornus species, Cornus florida, Cornus nuttallii, Cornus kousa

Crop Rotation Group

Miscellaneous ●

Soil

Moist, well-drained soil enriched with plenty of compost or other organic matter.

Position

Full sun to part shade.

Frost tolerant

Cold hardiness varies with species, but most dogwoods can tolerate cold to -29°C (-20°F). Pacific dogwood is less cold tolerant.

Feeding

None generally needed.

Spacing

Single Plants: 6.00m (19' 8") each way (minimum)
Rows: 6.00m (19' 8") with 6.00m (19' 8") row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

Set out purchased plants from autumn through to spring, as long as your soil is not frozen. Container-grown plants can be transplanted until early summer, but may shed some leaves if set out under stressful conditions. Water young plants regularly, and cover the root zone with an organic mulch to keep the soil moist at all times. Dogwoods become more drought tolerant after the plants are well rooted.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalised calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.

Notes

Native to the southeastern US, flowering dogwood is a multi-talented tree, featuring white or pink spring flowers, red berries, and red autumn colour. Many heavy-flowering cultivars are available. Kousa dogwood, from Asia, blooms later than flowering dogwood, and is more resistant to disease.

Harvesting

Flowering dogwood branches make stunning cut flowers, especially when combined with azaleas and other spring-blooming shrubs. Slow-growing hardwoods, dogwood trees need little pruning beyond trimming off broken or dead branches whenever they appear. Be light-handed when pruning flowering dogwoods, because their natural lateral branching pattern is part of their appeal. Buds for spring’s flowers are present in autumn, so avoid pruning in winter.

Planting and Harvesting Calendar

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Pests which Affect Dogwood (Flowering)

Aphids (General)

Slug

Snail