Summary
Flowering dogwood (Benthamidia florida) is one of our finest native trees and is attractive in all seasons. It has gorgeous white-bracted flowers in spring, red berries and leaves in the fall, and is followed by striking bark and branch structure all winter long. Flowering dogwood typically develops an irregular rounded habit, reaching 20-30’ tall and wide at maturity. It prefers well-drained acid soils and it makes an excellent specimen, understory tree or woodland edge tree as long as it receives shade during the heat of the day. It is an excellent companion for Carolina allspice (Calycanthus floridus), pinxterbloom azalea (Rhododendron periclymenoides), mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia), drooping leucothoe (Leucothoe fontanesiana), mapleleaf viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium), wild geranium (Geranium maculatum), and Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides). Formerly known as Cornus florida. Zones 5-9.
More Details
- Plant Type
tree - Sun/Shade Conditions
filtered-to-partial-shade - Foliage Character
deciduous - Soil Moisture
average, moist - Flowering Period
late-spring, mid-spring - Soil PH
acidic - Flower Color
pink, white - Summer Foliage Color
green - Other Scientific Names
Cornus florida
- Fall Foliage Color
orange, purple, red, yellow - Fruit/Seed Color
red
Additional Information
USDA Plants Database, Floridata, USDA Forest Service (FEIS Lab)