How to Grow and Care for Flowering dogwood

Flowering dogwood, also known as American dogwood, Virginia dogwood, White dogwood, Cornelian tree, Boxwood, False box, Florida dogwood

Flowering dogwood is a beautiful but somewhat challenging plant to maintain. Optimal care demands attention to moisture, with consistent watering needed to keep the soil evenly moist, yet well-drained. Special care must be given to protect flowering dogwood from disease and pests, particularly from anthracnose and borer insects. Placing in appropriate sunlight—partial shade—is key for its health and flowering. Given these considerations, flowering dogwood is on the higher end of the care difficulty spectrum.

Watering schedule: Every 1-2 weeks

Sunlight Requirements: Partial sun

In This Article

Planting and Growing Flowering dogwood

Toughness	High
Care Level	Low
Care Difficulty	Hard
Lifespan	Perennial
Watering Schedule	Every 1-2 weeks
Sunlight Requirements	Partial sun
Soil pH	6-7
Planting Time	Spring, Fall
Hardiness Zones	5-9

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Varieties of Flowering dogwood

Flowering dogwood 'Cherokee Chief'

Flowering dogwood 'Cherokee Chief' is a popular ornamental tree in gardens due to its beautiful pink flowers that appear in spring. In addition to its aesthetic value, the tree also has economic importance for lumber and tool handles. However, it should be noted that all parts of the tree are toxic to humans and animals if ingested.

Common Pests & Diseases

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More General Info About Flowering dogwood

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Quickly Identify Flowering dogwood

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Flowering dogwood distinguished by its ornamental value, exhibits distinctive characteristics conducive to its identification. This deciduous tree spans typically 15 to 25 feet (4.6 to 7.6 meters) in height. Before the seasonal foliage appears, it showcases prominent, showy bracts. The leaf arrangement is opposite, with veins arcing towards the leaf tip, and a smooth to undulating leaf margin. With age, the bark of flowering dogwood transforms, developing a texture ranging from scaly to finely blocky.