About
Cornus florida is a small tree or sizable shrub featuring broad, oval leaves that shift to shades of red and purple in the fall. In late spring, it produces clusters of small green flowers, which are encased in noticeable white or pink bracts. This is followed by the development of rounded, orange-red fruits.
About the genus
Cornus includes a variety of deciduous shrubs and trees, as well as prostrate, woody perennials, some featuring vibrant young stems. The small flowers appear in compact clusters, occasionally accompanied by prominent bracts. Several species display attractive foliage in the fall.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs, Trees
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 4-8 metres
- Spread
- 4-8 metres
- Time to full height
- 20-50 years
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden
- Native to
- E Canada, E USA, Mexico
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in fertile, well-drained, neutral to acid soil in sun or partial shade. Keep roots cool with a mulch in summer and provide shelter in exposed locations. For more advice, see flowering dogwood cultivation
- Pruning
- Pruning group 1
- Propagation
- Propagate by softwood cuttings in summer
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free but may be susceptible to horse chestnut scale
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to cornus anthracnose and honey fungus