Cornus alternifolia

The Dogwood tree offers white blooms from April to May and red/orange leaves in fall. The tree prefers full sun to part shade and medium soils. In some varieties, the showy red Dogwood fruit fully ripens in fall and may last until late in the year. Butterflies and over 30 species of birds enjoy the tree, including Downy Woodpecker, Brown Thrasher, Wood Thrush, Eastern Bluebird, and Cedar Waxwing.

↕️ 15-30 ft. ↔️ 15-30 ft.

FUN FACTS Dogwood’s name likely refers to an old-time practice of making skewers called “dags” or “dogs” from its hard, slender stems. The bright red fruits on the Florida dogwood are loved by birds.

MAINTENANCE While it can tolerate clay soil, the Dogwood prefers moist, organically rich, acidic soils in part shade. Keep roots cool and moist in summer with a 2-4” mulch around the base.