NURSERY HOURS
Wednesday – Saturday: 10-4, Sunday: 12-4
Cornus florida
Flowering Dogwood is a 15 to 25 foot tall understory tree in the Cornaceae family. This tree
likes full sun to part shade, although shade is helpful during the late afternoon in hot North
Carolina summers. Flowering from March through May, it has showy pink and white flowers,
and is the state flower for North Carolina. Although deciduous, Flowering Dogwood has year
round interest, from the flowers in early spring, the purplish red leaves in fall, to the burgundy
stems that take the stage in winter. The fruit is eaten by many animals, such as deer, songbirds,
squirrels, and others. It is a host plant for the Spring Azure butterfly.
Key Info
Scientific Name: Cornus florida
Common Names: Flowering Dogwood
Family Names: Cornaceae (Dogwood Family)
Plant Type: Tree / Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Flower Color: Yellow, green, pink, white
Special Characteristics: Resistant to wind/storm damage
Additional Info
Habit: Ascending, pyramidal, rounded, spreading
Height: 12' - 25'
Spread: 15' - 30'
Soil Conditions: Clay, high organic matter, loam, sand, acid-neutral
Leaves: Opposite, ovate, purple/burgundy in fall
Fruit: Red berries/drupes appear in fall, inedible to humans but birds love them
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-9
Pollination: Bees and butterflies
Wildlife Connections: Host plant for Spring Azure (Celastrina ladon) butterfly/larvae. Fruit eaten by songbirds, quail, wild turkey, chipmunks, black bear, foxes, deer, skunks, and squirrels.
Propagation: Seed, stem cutting