All About the Flowering Dogwood:
Scientific Nomenclature: Cornus florida
Common Names: flowering dogwood, American dogwood, Indian arrowwood, false boxwood
Mature Height: 20–25 feet
Mature Spread: 20–30 feet
Growth Rate: Slow-Moderate
Attracts Wildlife: Birds, mammals and pollinators
Messiness: Flowering dogwood will produce bright red berries that will drop in autumn alongside its leaves.
Shape: Spreading/Multi-stemmed
Native to Kentucky: Yes
Preferred Soils: Prefers well-drained clay, loam or sandy soils with high organic matter content. Acidic (<6.0pH) or neutral (6.0–8.0pH) soils are preferred. You should mulch around the tree during hot summers to keep the roots cool and moist.
Screening: Not used for screening or privacy plantings.
Drought Tolerance: Tolerant of heat once established but not very tolerant of drought.
Coniferous or Deciduous: Deciduous
Pruning: Deadwood and leaves should be pruned and removed yearly to keep the tree vigorous.
Climate Quick Facts:
Following being planted as a sapling, over 20 years one flowering dogwood will:
- Sequester ~926 pounds of CO2.
- Reduce stormwater runoff by 387.5 gallons.