World Plants

Cornus florida (Flowering Dogwood)

Michael's Opinion

A popular understory shrub/small tree that is native to Southern Ontario. This is a spectacular shrub in spring when the large white bracts unfold to give the illusion that the plant is covered in white blossoms up to 5 cm across. There are many cultivars available of which the Rutgers hybrids are reputed to be resistant to the devasting Anthracnose disease that is affecting native and cultivated populations.

Botanical Information

Family	Cornaceae
Genus	Cornus
Species	florida
Category	Woody
Type	Tree (deciduous)
Origin	Massachusetts to Florida, west to Ontario, Texas and Mexico.
Pronunciation

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone	5-9
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone	5
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)	-23 to -26
Temperature (°F)	-10 to -20
Height	8 m
Spread	3 m
Growth	Slow
Flowering Period	May

Description and Growing Information

General Description	It was once called Boxwood by early American settlers since the wood is hard and heavy.
ID Characteristic	Striking autumn foliage and bright coloured fruit
Shape	Rounded.
Landscape	A popular understory shrub/small tree which has four season character. Great near a patio, corner of house or other intimate area of the garden.
Propagation	Seed requires 90-120 days at 5°C to germinate.
Cultivation	Good rich, moist soil in partial shade.
Pests	Anthracnose.
Notable Specimens	Weldon Library, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario.
Habitat	An understory plant found in the Eastern United States, Southern Ontario and North East Mexico.
Bark/Stem Description	Broken into small square blocks, like an alligators back, sepia brown or dark grey
Flower/Leaf Bud Description	Flower - usually at the end of the stem, globose, biscuit shaped, covered by 2 large silky scales, surrounded by four white, notched bracts.
Leaf Description	Opposite, simple, oval, 7.5-16 cm long, abruptly acuminate.
Flower Description	True flowers are greenish yellow while bracts are up to 5 cm across.
Fruit Description	Drupe, glossy red 1 cm long, ovoid, 3-4 in a cluster, ripening from September to October.
Colour Description	Bronze green in summer, pink to red in autumn.
Texture Description	Medium.