Get several months of successive bloom with each of these unique flowering species
For many of us in the southeast United States , dogwoods ( Cornusspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) are what ab initio come to mind when we think about fountain - flower Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . That is sure enough the lawsuit for gardeners in my home radical of Knoxville , Tennessee . Here we have a dogwood fete , cornel sightseeing motor trail , open garden outcome that are cornel theme , and even musical performances centered around our favorite native , give - flower tree . Of course , the tree we fete here is flowering cornel ( Cornus florida , Zones 5–9 ) . This article will certainly cut across this well - live species . However , using other species of dogwoods , you’re able to accomplish a successive dogwood bloom for months in your landscape . The dogwood tree mintage below are listed by club of bloom .
Japanese cornel dogwood
Cornus officinalis , geographical zone 5–8
First bloom in Southeast : Mid - February
This works is truly one of the first signs of spring in the Southeast . Bloom time motley more or less from year to yr , but the second hebdomad of February or slenderly later would be a reasonable approximation of when the flowers start to open . compare with the other cornel in this article , the blooms are strikingly unique . blush are clusters ( umbel ) of brilliant gold that compensate the tree before leaves appear . The grayish , exfoliating bark has cinnamon undertones for an event perhaps as beautiful as the peak . This plant contract 20 feet tall and slightly wide-eyed in its spread and favour full sun or fond shade with adequate moisture . Overall , this is a fairly rugged plant once lay down .
Flowering dogwood
Cornus florida , Zones 5–9
First bloom in Southeast : early April
Perhaps our aboriginal flowering dogwood tree is one of the most popular spring - flowering trees in America . Often realise blooming in the first part of April , flowering dogwood is a raw material of our yards , neighborhood , and woodland . Its former bloom are made more dramatic by blooming before leafage has appear . What is viewed as a peak from a aloofness is more accurately an assemblage of bracts surrounding an umbel of flyspeck true flowers that are obtusely packed in the nerve centre of the blossoming . Bracts are more substantial than normal peak petals and give this dogwood a fairly recollective bloom sentence . In cultivation , most works reach slightly larger than 20 feet tall and 20 foot wide , with trees in the wild often gain with child stature . It is advisable for homeowners to search out disease - resistant cultivar , as seed - grown trees are often susceptible to dogwood anthracnose and powdery mildew .
Kousa dogwood
Cornus kousa , Zones 5–8
First salad days in Southeast : tardy April
Not long after flower dogwood leaves the gardening stage , kousa dogwood tree takes over with a brilliant exhibit of showy bloom and bract . Often kousa dogwood will flower just two hebdomad after its North American cousin flowering dogwood . The efflorescence lie down atop a backdrop of glossy green leaves with deep venous blood system . Kousa dogwood tree has some advantages over flowering dogwood in a garden place setting because it is less prone to disease and displays slightly showier yield and bark . Its overall sizing in culture is interchangeable to flowering dogwood tree , but perhaps it has a more bowl - form habit . dusk folio coloring material can be outstanding but varies from cultivar to cultivar .
Chinese evergreen dogwood
Cornus ellipticasyn . C. angustata , zone 6–9
First bloom in Southeast : mid - June
If you ’re intimate with the genusCornusat all , the first sentence you see Chinese evergreen plant dogwood it will still surprise you . First , it is almost exclusively evergreen through the winter months , slough its leaf in leap when unexampled leave get down to seem . Second , it bloom far later than most dogwood uprise in the garden , often draw its appearance in mid - June . Mature trees will have hundreds of flowers on every branch . This dogwood likes morning sunlight and afternoon shade . It ’s slightly more midget than the others bring up here , top out at around 15 feet tall and 15 foot full , or slenderly big . The most commercially useable cultivar is Empress of China ® (‘Elsbry ’ ) , which is vigorous and blooms as a fairly young plant . Homeowners will be particularly impressed by the seniority of blush on this underutilized dogwood species .
Plant one or plant them all
All of these dogwood are worthful specimens you’re able to add to your southeast landscape . I find the melodic theme of planting them all when elbow room permits to be an interesting estimate , as it gives you the opportunity to have dogwood tree flush in wave over at least three but as many as five month . Plant one , or implant them all ; each has a standout feature that is sure to shine in your garden .
puzzle spring - flowering tree diagram on the brain ? Check out these other articles on Southern and Southeastern outpouring - flower tree :
— Andy Pulte is a mental faculty member in the flora sciences section at the University of Tennessee .
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Empress of China® dogwood blooms with an explosion of flowers that cover the entire tree.Photo: Andy Pulte
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Tiny, bright yellow flowers cover shrubby ‘Sunsphere’ Japanese cornel dogwood (C. officinalis‘Sunsphere’, Zones 5–8) in late winter.Photos: Andy Pulte
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Pink-flowering dogwood (C. floridaf.rubra, Zones 5–9) has nearly red bracts surrounding mustard yellow flowers.Photo: Andy Pulte
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Kousa dogwood blooms later than flowering dogwood and has a rounder habit.Photo: Michelle Gervais
Empress of China®dogwood (C. elliptica‘Elsbry’, Zones 6–9) is a tough, vigorous plant that blooms impressively even as a young specimen.Photo: Andy Pulte
