Dogwood Tree

There are many species of dogwood, which can be shrubs, trees, or groundcovers. These five species are the tree forms most used in gardens.

Tree Identification

Types of Dogwood Trees

Flowering Dogwood - Cornus florida
Japanese Flowering Dogwood - Cornus kousa
Pagoda Dogwood - Cornus alternifolia
Pacific Dogwood - Cornus nuttallii
Gray Dogwood - Cornus racemosa
Cornelian Cherry - Cornus mas

Flowering Dogwood

Cornus florida

This is the tree many gardeners think of first when they think of dogwood trees. It is hardy in zones 5 though 9, with white, pink, or red flowers and red fall color. Flowering dogwood is admired for its graceful habit of growth, which gives a layered aspect to the small trees. Many varieties are available for planting. See Cornus Florida for more information.

Flowering dogwood needs rich, fertile, acidic soil. Evenly moist to wet conditions are important for healthy growth; trees stressed by drought are susceptible to a variety of problems. Cornus florida grows in sun or light shade, with heavier flowering in full sun but greater growth in shade.

Japanese Flowering Dogwood

Cornus kousa

This beautiful small tree is native to Asia and is valued by gardeners for its beautiful flower and richly-colored fall foliage. Young trees have a vase-like shape, but older trees have a beautiful layered look.

See Cornus Kousa for more information.

Pacific dogwood

Cornus nuttallii

This beautiful tree is native to North America. It is taller than many dogwood trees, growing to twenty feet or more. It can be grown in sun or shade, but prefers moist conditions. The large white blossoms are sometimes pink in this species.

Gray Dogwood

Cornus racemosa

This dogwood is often grown as a shrub, but the varieties listed below are grown as small trees.

The white blossoms of Cornus racemosa are attached to red pedicels, which remain on the tree after the blooming period is over. They often give the tree a reddish color.

Cultivars:
'Geazam' (Geauga TM) - height 9 feet and spread 4 feet; reddish new growth
'Mahzam' - dense, rounded cultivar
'Muszam' - slow growing, mounded, height 2 feet, spread 4 feet, red fall foliage
'Ottzam' – small tree, height 12 feet, spread 6 feet
'Cuyzam' - small tree reaching height of 15 feet and spread to 12 feet
'Jade' - small tree, 15 feet tall

Cornelian Cherry

Cornus mas

This yellow-flowered dogwood is a cheerful sight each spring.

Pagoda dogwood

Cornus alternifolia

This small trees has flat clusters of fragrant white flowers that bloom in early summer or late spring. It is an easy tree to grow, tolerant of dry to moist soils and sun to light shade. It reaches twelve to twenty-five feet in height, and is the only dogwood to have an alternate branching habit of growth..

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