Dogwood

Dogwood trees are best known for the eye-catching display of blooms in the spring, which arrive before the foliage. The blooms are actually yellowish-green flowers surrounded by larger, bright cream colored bracts, which are usually thought of as the flower. Clusters of bright red fruits mature in the fall and persist into winter. Dogwoods display bright red and orange fall foliage color. This native tree is a woodland garden favorite; its natural environment is as a small to medium understory tree, which means it prefers to grow under the cover of larger trees. In our area, this tree needs some afternoon shade to protect it from the hot sun. Plant in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil, preferably neutral to acidic in pH. Dogwoods are good specimen trees also and feature a loose, layered growth habit. The wood is extremely hard and is used to make tool handles. Bloom color and mature size are variety specific.

• Shade to Part Sun
• Spring blooming; color is variety specific
• Plant in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil
• Orange or red fall color
• Red fruit in fall and winter
• Attracts birds