Few sights bring spring to mind more than a dogwood tree (Cornus florida) in full bloom. This tree has a naturally graceful and pleasing form, usually covering itself in pure white blossoms in April and May. The dogwood tree attracts wildlife in the fall, when they produce small red fruits that are eaten by squirrels, deer and many species of birds. Given the right conditions and basic care, it's a relatively long-lived tree that grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9.
The dogwood is a native American flowering tree, often seen blooming in woodlands in spring. It usually grows to a height of 15 to 30 feet when mature. The tree has a widely branched, broad shape that tends to be flattened at the top. Its flowers consist of four large, flat petals that are modified leaves called bracts, which surround the tiny yellow true flowers. A pink-flowered variety (Cornus florida f. rubra) has extra-showy pink-to-rose flowers and a growth habit similar to the native tree. It also grows in USDA zones 5 through 9.
A healthy, well-developed young dogwood begins flowering when just 2 or 3 years old. The tree usually lives about 80 years, especially when grown under ideal conditions. In its native habitat, it thrives in partial shade under larger woodland trees, where it can become extra tall, reaching a height of up to 40 feet. When cultivated in a home garden, it can also do well in full sun if planted in a spot with northern or eastern exposure, where it's protected from late afternoon sun. Under these conditions, it also tends to develop a bushier, more compact form.
The dogwood tree has a slow-to-moderate growth rate and reaches a height of about 20 feet when it's 25 years old. It growth is most vigorous when planted in well-drained, organically rich soil. If your soil is high in clay and tends to hold water, add some sand to the planting area to improve its drainage. Mixing compost into the soil at planting and top-dressing with compost during the tree's first few years also helps increase the soil's organic content while raising its fertility. To help keep the tree's roots cool and conserve soil moisture, you can add a 4- to 6-inch thick layer of mulch to the area under the tree at the start of summer.
Although a dogwood can have a long life, several disease problems may jeopardize its longevity, especially if it's grown under sub-optimal conditions, such as drought, which stresses the tree. Several fungal diseases may develop in a stressed tree, including dogwood anthracnose, leaf spot and root rot. Providing at least 1 inch of water weekly, especially during the first few years, helps keep the tree healthy. You can also help prevent disease by choosing a planting site with good air circulation and following good cultural practices, such as clearing debris from under the tree regularly and watering only with a soaker hose or drip irrigation, to avoid wetting the tree's foliage.
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