White dogwood trees are flowering beauties that provide year-round visual interest and attract birds and other wildlife to your garden.
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White dogwood trees are flowering stunners that provide a show of beauty year-round. In the springtime, they dazzle with white bracts and flowers, in the summer they reveal glossy green leaves, in the fall, they grow crimson berries, and in winter their textured bark steals the show. Despite their elegance, white dogwoods are relatively low-maintenance, making a great specimen or foundation plant for your garden.
White Dogwood Trees at a Glance
- Four seasons of interest
- Attract birds and wildlife
- Perfect for compact gardens
- Scarlet berries
- Great as specimens or foundation plants
- Highly adaptable to many soil types
Appearance
White dogwoods grow in a pleasing, rounded umbrella shape. Their tiered branches are slightly from their short trunk or several trunks. Their white “flowers” bloom from late March or April to May, and are actually bracts—modified leaves, with small blooms in the center. In summer, these bracts give way to glossy green leaves. In fall, crimson red berries emerge and the leaves turn a red-purple shade. In winter, the focus is on the textured, silver bark.
White dogwood trees grow to be 15-25 feet tall, with a spread of 20-25 feet. They grow at a slow-moderate rate of 1-2 feet per year.
Specifications
| Appearance | Umbrella shape with tiered, slightly arched branches. Short trunk or several trunks. White bracts and flowers in spring, red berries and red-purple leaves in fall, more visible textured bark in winter |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Umbrella shape with tiered, slightly arched branches. Short trunk or several trunks. White bracts and flowers in spring, red berries and red-purple leaves in fall, more visible textured bark in winter |
| Height | 15-25 feet |
| Hardiness Zones | Zones 5-9 |
| Type of tree | Deciduous |
| Sunlight requirements | Partial shade to full sun |
| Soil composition | Adaptable, but prefers moist, loamy, slightly acidic soil |
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones indicate the swaths of the country where various plants can grow, based on minimum winter temperatures. White dogwood trees grow in Zones 5-9, across most of the country except for very far north and very far south.
Planting
The best time to plant white dogwoods is in the spring, when the soil is moist and before the tree growth begins. Choose a planting site that receives dappled shade. Pull any weeds and clear away any debris and turfgrass.
Dig a hole that is roughly ⅔ the depth of the root ball. Gently tease the roots apart, and place the root ball in the hole. You want it to be slightly above the level of the surrounding soil. Backfill the hole with soil, tamping down as you go to eliminate any air pockets. Soak the ground, then apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch to help retain the water. Be sure to keep the mulch several inches from the trunk.
If you want to create a solid screen of white dogwoods, plant them 5 feet apart from the center of each trunk. For a more sculptural look, stagger them between 6-12 feet apart from the center.
Growing Conditions
White dogwoods are fairly low-maintenance, with limited soil requirements but a need to be well-watered.
Sun and shade
White dogwoods thrive in partial shade, also called dappled shade. They require about four hours of direct sunlight per day.
These trees are highly adaptable to a wide range of soils conditions, able to grow in clay and sandy soils. But they flourish in moist, loamy, slightly acidic soil. While they need to remain moist due to their shallow roots, they do not like having wet feet.
Watering
White dogwood trees’ shallow roots can dry out if you don’t irrigate enough. During dry spells, you should water your tree at least twice a week—or more, if you live in an arid climate.
Fertilizing
Young white dogwoods do not require fertilization and can even die if too much is applied. Wait until the second season of your tree to feed, using a small amount of slow-release, nitrogen-rich fertilizer with an NPK value of 12-4-8.
Pruning
White dogwoods grow in a round shape, and do not need to be pruned to maintain it. If you decide to prune for aesthetic purposes, clip your tree in late fall or winter, when it is dormant.
If you see any dead, damaged, or diseased branches, you should prune them immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big do white dogwood trees get?
They grow to be around 15-25 feet tall.
How fast do they grow?
They grow at a slow-moderate rate of 1-2 feet per year.
What is the best place to plant one?
White dogwoods thrive when planted in well-drained soil in an area that receives partial shade.
Can I plant one close to my house?
You should leave 15 feet between your home and your white dogwood tree.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Dogwoods (Cornus spp.) include a large group of flowering shrubs and woody trees within the genus Cornus. The genus also includes some species that are best described as subshrubs—fast-growing woody plants that tend to die back in the winter to ground level and grow back from buds near the base of the plant. These plants are known for providing year-round interest, from early spring flowers and summer berries to brilliant fall colors. Some species even have colorful stems that offer winter appeal. With species that are native to Asia, Europe, and North America, as well as dozens of cultivars, you’ll have no problem choosing a dogwood suited to your purpose.
You can identify a dogwood by looking for smooth-edged leaves with veins that curve parallel to the margins (edges). Flowers may or may not feature large bracts like those of the flowering dogwood (Cornus florida). After pollination, they produce a type of fruit known as a drupe. Many species have edible fruit, though not all actually taste good. Dogwoods are also known for their opposite branching, a characteristic that can be helpful for identifying them. A few species, however, have leaves that alternate on the stems.
Dogwoods are frequently used as flowering specimen shrubs and trees in the landscape. Their wood is also popular in carving and other forms of woodworking.
Warning
While many dogwoods produce fruit that can be used in cooking, a few species have berries that are mildly toxic to people (although birds can eat them safely). Some people also report skin rashes from contact with the leaves and bark of dogwoods. If there is a chance of human consumption or contact, always check out the species before planting it.
Here are the different types of dogwood species to help you choose what’s right for your yard.
Flowering dogwoods (Cornus florida) are deciduous trees native to the eastern half of the United States. These trees can add year-round beauty to the landscape. Let’s look at how to grow dogwood trees.
Flowering dogwoods range in color from white to pink or red and generally bloom for about two to four weeks in early spring. They also add summer and fall color, with rich green foliage color in summer and reddish purple leaves during fall. This is oftentimes followed by brilliant red berries in winter. Proper dogwood care will bring these lovely trees to their height of beauty.
How to Grow Dogwood Trees
In their natural habitat, dogwoods are understory trees, which are generally surrounded or protected by other larger trees. Therefore, when caring for dogwood trees, this should be considered carefully before placement in the landscape.
Locating these trees on the edge of wooded areas or in groups is oftentimes more suitable to their natural surroundings. They can also be used as a backdrop for azaleas or other spring-flowering shrubs.
Flowering dogwoods can be grown in sun or shade, however, trees planted in partial shade generally perform better. Trees planted in full sun can be stressful, making them more susceptible to dogwood borers and heat stress. For care of flowering dogwood trees, dogwoods that are planted in full sun must also rely on frequent watering, especially during hot conditions.
While dogwoods will grow in a variety of climates and soil conditions, they typically grow best in, and even prefer, well-drained, humus-rich soil that is slightly acidic.
Planting Dogwood Care
Bare root and burlap dogwood trees should be transplanted in late fall or early spring.
Container grown trees can be transplanted anytime of the year, provided they are watered regularly after planting. A dogwood should be planted about two-thirds the depth of its root ball. The soil should be gently mounded around the sides of the root ball. Do not place soil directly over the top of the root ball, as this should be left slightly above ground level.
It is acceptable to apply a layer of mulch to help conserve water, however, for good dogwood care, keep this a couple inches (5 cm.) away from the trunk. Be sure to water the tree thoroughly after planting and on a regular basis until the tree establishes itself.
Care of Flowering Dogwood
Most dogwoods require supplemental water during summer and fall, especially during hot, dry spells. For care of flowering dogwood trees, regular watering once a week to a depth of 6 inches (15 cm.) should suffice. However, adding a generous layer of mulch will help retain moisture, minimizing watering chores.
Most established trees do not require fertilizer. However, if you do choose to fertilize young dogwoods, use only a small amount of slow-release fertilizer.
Dogwood trees seldom need pruning, however, it may be necessary to remove dead or injured branches, suckers, and diseased or insect-infested parts on occasion. Shaping trees may also help keep them more attractive looking.
Flowering dogwood trees are considered “bleeders,” which means they bleed sap, if pruned during late winter. Summer is an ideal time to take care of any pruning tasks that may be needed since these plants do not bleed sap during this time.
Once established in the landscape, caring for dogwood trees is relatively easy. As long as they have been planted in the proper conditions and location, the overall care of flowering dogwoods is minimal.
By: Richard Corrigan
21 February, 2017
Flowering dogwood is a widely planted landscape tree. Known for its bright, fragrant blossoms, it grows in areas all over the country, but especially in the South, where it is one of the most popular spring flowering trees. A number of cultivars (short for ‘cultivated varieties’) of flowering dogwood are available for landscape uses, and the growth rate depends on which one you choose.
Growth Rate
Dogwood trees have a slow to moderate growth rate, generally growing at a rate of about 20 feet in 25 years according to Clemson University. The specific growth rate varies by cultivar.
Varieties
Slow-growing cultivars of flowering dogwood include Cherokee Princess, Barton’s White, First Lady, Mystery and Purple Glory. If you are looking for a dogwood tree with a moderate growth rate, consider Cherokee Chief, Cherokee Daybreak and Cherokee Sunset. The Chinese dogwood, sometimes called kousa dogwood, grows a bit slower on average than flowering dogwood: about 10 feet in 15 years.
Growing Conditions
Dogwood trees grow best in moist, well-drained soil with high organic content and a pH between 5.5 and 6.0, or slightly to moderately acidic. They will tolerate full sun, but bloom better in partial shade. Dogwood trees will not tolerate excessively dry or excessively wet soil, and should be watered generously under drought conditions. Mulch an area about 8 to 10 feet around the tree to help retain moisture and prevent damage to the tree.
Considerations
The flowering dogwood can be prone to attacks from dogwood borers, midges, scale, leaf miners and other pests. They are also susceptible to crown canker, powdery mildew, spot anthracnose and leaf-spotting fungi. Mulch can help avoid such problems, and keeping your trees healthy is the best defense against these and other issues. Chinese dogwood is more resistant to some pests than flowering dogwood.
