Flowering Dogwood

Flowering dogwood is a deciduous understory tree native to much of the eastern United States. Its spring display comes from showy bracts around small central flowers, followed by red fruit and reddish-purple autumn foliage. ## Form and seasonal interest Mature trees are commonly 20–40 feet tall and about 20 feet wide, with a broad, rounded outline. Typical bracts are white, summer leaves are dark green, and fall foliage turns reddish-purple. Red fruit ripens in summer and is used by songbirds. [The Morton Arboretum](https://mortonarb.org/plant-and-protect/trees-and-plants/flowering-dogwood/) ## Siting Plant in sun to shade, ideally in acidic, moist, well-drained soil. Flowering dogwood is sensitive to drought and poorly drained conditions, so avoid sites that remain waterlogged or become very dry. A woodland edge or protected garden suits its understory habit. ## Maintenance Water during establishment and extended dry spells. Apply light mulch to moderate soil temperature around its shallow roots, keeping mulch off the trunk. Kew accepts Cornus florida in the dogwood family, Cornaceae. [Kew Plants of the World Online](https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn%3Alsid%3Aipni.org%3Anames%3A271574-1/general-information). ## Pacific Northwest — PNW 590 (2023): Flowering dogwood The [trees-14 profile](https://extension.oregonstate.edu/gallery/fire-resistant-plant-profiles-trees) prints Cornus florida. Cornus florida: Exact primary species/hybrid/cultivar identity; hidden or narrower varieties are not substituted. Source care: Moderate water use; Full sun. The source's Rubra label is represented by the catalog red-flowered botanical variety, with horticultural rank qualification rather than a uniform-clone assertion. Cherokee Brave/Comco No.1 and Cherokee Chief remain separate. Native C. nuttallii is described as west-of-Cascades adapted but difficult in some urban landscapes. Profile reference data: Height: 20–30 feet; Spread: 15–20 feet; USDA hardiness zones: 5–9; Flowers : pink, red, white; Bloom time: April–June; Fall color: red, orange, yellow. These are profile-level source values, not independent measurements of each named example or edits to this record's scalar fields. Native-form availability, wildlife use and general deer-resistance statements are not automatic attributes of every selection. The [2023 guide](https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pnw-590-fire-resistant-plants-home-landscapes) requires maintained, healthy, adequately watered plants and removal of dead/spent material. Keep the first 5 feet from the home free of plants. In the 5–30-foot zone separate planting groups by at least 10 feet, farther on slopes; avoid continuous rows and ladder fuels and keep tree branches at least 15 feet from the home. This is a regional source association, not a numerical flammability score or a claim of fireproofness. Older PNW editions and other regional ratings remain separate.