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.
