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CORNUS florida
Commonly known as American boxwood, Flowering dogwood
FLOWERING DOGWOODS
North American flowering dogwood. Each flowerhead is enclosed in 4 white petal-like bracts
Further Reading....
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DeciduousBroadly oval to ovate, mid-green leaves to 15cm (6in) long turning red or purple in autumn.
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WhiteSometimes flushed pink
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Height6m (20ft)
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Spread8m (26ft)
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Tall ShrubOr small tree. Greenish flowers. White to pink bracts, 4-5cm (1½ - 2in) long are joined at the tips as they open. Clusters of red berries are produced in autumn.
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Hardy - cold winterHardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters. May not withstand open/exposed sites or central/northern locations. Plant can withstand temperatures down to -15°C (5°F)
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Full sunshelter from cold winds.
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Partial shade
CORNUS florida
- Details
- Mature Size
- Tips and Advice
- Goes Well With
- Planting Combinations
- Other Suggestions
- See Also...
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Additional FeaturesGood to knowFlowers are small and inconspicuous but the surrounding bracts in shades from pink-tinged white through to an alomost true red provide the attraction and a host of cultivars have been developed.Pests & DiseasesAnthracnose.Place of originEastern North America.
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HardinessFully hardy
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Leaf marginEntire
(see photos above) -
Leaf shapeOvate
(see photos above) -
Pruning groupPruning group 1Suitable for: Deciduous and evergreen trees, and some deciduous shrubs.
Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Prune wayward or crossing branches to maintain a healthy framework.
When: When dormant in the late winter/early spring. Some in the summer/autumn to prevent bleeding of sap.
RHS group 1 -
Seasonal InterestAutumnSummer
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Soil ConditionsFertile well drained soilHumus rich.Neutral to acid soil
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Tree ShapeBroadly conical
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Cornus (Flowering) - Growing Guide
- Positioning
- Planting
- Maintenance - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Propagation
- Cornus capitata seed collection - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Diseases
- Cornus capitata - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Cornus kousa 'Satomi' - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Cornus kousa ‘Doubloon’ - Video Tip ondemand_video
Cornus Coloured Stemmed Dogswoods - Growing Guide
6m (20ft)
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8m (26ft) |
Buy Varieties of CORNUS florida
FLOWERING DOGWOODS

CORNUS florida 'Cherokee Brave'
American boxwood, Flowering dogwood
new growth is a burgundy-red turning dark green with age. Flowers are pinkish-red darkening as they mature

CORNUS florida 'Cherokee Chief'
American boxwood, Flowering dogwood
(syn. 'Royal Red') - foliage scarlet-red in spring and autumn, bronzy green in summer. Bracts deep ruby pink.

CORNUS florida 'Cloud Nine'
American boxwood, Flowering dogwood
large snowy-white bracts. Free-flowering even when young


CORNUS florida 'Daybreak'
American boxwood, Flowering dogwood
a startling new variety, bright green leaves margined in creamy-white. In the autumn the creamy-white parts of the leaves turn pink to deep red


CORNUS florida 'Rainbow'
American boxwood, Rainbow dogwood
compact shrub with deep green leaves splashed yellow. Autumn colours pass from pink, lavender-blue and finally purple-red

CORNUS florida 'Red Giant'
American boxwood, Flowering dogwood
large deep pink bracts tipped with white

CORNUS florida rubra
American boxwood, Pink dogwood
flushed pink or red
Useful extras...

Fertilisers & Feeds - Vitax
Q4 Pelleted Fertiliser
A useful fertiliser suitable for use on a wide variety of plants. Q4 provides all the nutrients and trace elements essential for vigorous growth, abundant flowering and ripening of fruit.
3 options from £6.00

Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
Rootgrow mycorrhizal fungi
Recommended by the RHS. Contains Rootgrow™ mycorrhizal fungi. Suitable for all trees and shrubs (except rhododendrons, azaleas, heathers, cranberries and blueberries)
2 options from £6.00

Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
All-purpose Seaweed Stimulant
All-purpose organic concentrated seaweed feed that is a ready to use, derived from sustainable harvested kelp, that can be used on all outdoor and indoor plants, except acid loving plants.
Perfect used in conjunction with Rootgrow™.
Only £7.50

Garden Goodies
Slate Plant Labels
These wonderfully tactile natural slate plant labels are hand made in Cornwall and come with a chalk pen.
Just stick them in your pot or border. Pack of 6.
Only £10.20

Garden Goodies
Slate Tie-on Plant Labels
Hand made in Cornwall, these delightful natural slate labels are perfect for pots.
Comes with chalk pen. Pack of 5
Only £10.20