Year-Round Beauty: The White Dogwood Tree for Your Garden

White Dogwood Tree

The breathtaking white dogwood tree (Cornus Florida) is an attractive yard addition with a year-round curbside appeal. This dazzling plant reveals something different with every season. They sprout white flowers in the spring, green leaves in the summer, crimson berries in the fall, and white bark in winter. The leaves also take on a glowing, red-purple hue in the fall.

The branches on the white dogwood tree take on an umbrella-like shape as they grow. The mature height ranges from 15 to 25 ft., and the mature width is about 20 to 25 ft. The tree is low maintenance and will excel in any soil type. As long as it has either partial or complete sunlight and a moderate amount of water, it will thrive. They grow in hardiness zones 5-9. Dogwoods don't grow exceptionally fast, so don't expect more than 1 to 2 feet of growth yearly. The lifespan of these trees is about 80 years.

The White Dogwood Tree looks great in any Perennial Garden . It can share the same space with small vegetables. The colorful berries and foliage attract a wide array of wildlife. Several birds use the white dogwood tree for nesting purposes. Mice, cardinals, and other bird species will eat the red berries. Bees use the nectar during the springtime. The white dogwood is also a host plant for moths and butterflies.

White Dogwoods don't need pruning but cut them off if you see any dead or diseased branches. The same goes for fertilization. The white dogwood is a no-fuss plant and needs very little to help it grow. But if you feel the need to fertilize it, do so sparingly. Too much fertilizer can harm the tree.

Some individuals buy white dogwood trees purely for aesthetic purposes. If you plant several trees, they should be spaced at least 12 feet apart. Liberally water the planting hole and pull out any opportunistic weeds like turfgrass.

The white dogwood tree is considered one of the most ornamental trees for the United States' soils. Most seasoned landscapers prefer the white dogwood tree owing to its adaptability throughout all the four seasons experienced in the United States.

The tree produces white flowers during the spring season, and towards the fall, the foliage transitions into a vibrant red and purple color. Likewise, the tree produces fruits that are a bit glossy red during the winter season, thus making it attractive to songbirds.

Hardy Zones Where They Grow

The tree survives in most areas of the United States, and most of the areas that experience properties of zone 4 to zone 9.

Mature Height

The height of the dogwood tree varies with each species. However, the last recorded height across all the species is a short, stout bush ten inches in height. Conversely, there are other species of dogwood that measure twenty-four inches each year. Notably, there are cases of well-maintained flowering species of dogwood that have grown to attain an average of forty inches in height.

Soil Recommendations

The dogwood tree is a true majestic plant that survives in most parts of the United States. What you ought to consider is a well-hydrated soil that receives maximum sunlight. The fifty-plus species of white dogwood require a varied range of soil properties.

The only factor that cuts across is the provision of water. Otherwise, dogwood cannot thrive in areas that experience either arid or semi-arid climates. For exemplary performance, dogwood requires well-drained and moisturized soil that is not soaked throughout. Notwithstanding its adaptability to varied soil types, dogwood will grow well if planted in slightly acidic loam soils.

Sunlight

The white dogwood tree flourishes when grown in a partially sunny environment with reduced afternoon shade incidences. The tree can still grow well in an area that experiences dappled shade or area that receives sun rays through a tall tree nearby. Dogwood has shallow roots, and this makes it susceptible to drought. Therefore, it is recommended to irrigate the plant at least two to three times each week in areas that experience dry seasons.

The different types of white dogwood trees present different types of flowers. For instance, the flowering dogwood is widely known for its large, bright white to slightly yellow flowers that offer beautiful blooms during the spring. Other species, such as Blackfruit Cornel associated with California, have yellow to green blooms, and their fruits turn black after ripping.

White dogwood tree has various surprises of blooms to the owner if well maintained. Likewise, the tree unfurls white blossoms in May as it trumpets the arrival of spring. The flowers produced remain viable for several weeks. In addition to the splendor depicted in the spring, the tree features a fiery show of leaves during the autumn.

Furthermore, after the dropping of leaves, white dogwood produces red berries that are liked by songbirds.