Flowering
Dogwoods
Description
and Use
Flowering
Dogwood (Cornus florida) is a popular small oriental tree with
four season appeal. Lovely spring blooks are followed by atractive
summer foliage, lovely fall color and interesting bark and branches
in winter.
Where
to Plant
Dogwoods
are an understory tree in nature and therefore grow best in a protected,
partially shady spot with evenly moist soil. Dogwoods do not like
wet feet! Select a well drained site and do not plant to deep. Protect
from drought. Maintain a 3" layer of mulch around the tree to
converse moisture and keep the soil cool. Dogwoods have a shallow,
delicate root system which must be protected. An underplanting of
ground cover is ideal.
Care
After Planting
Watering.
Soak
rootball thoroughly once or twice a week, but becarefull not to drown
the plant if in poorly drained soil. Avoid overhead watering which
can cause foliar disease. Dogwoods need at least 1 inch of water
each week.
Fertilization.
Use only
root stimulator at time of planting. Dogwoods seldom need fertilizing
and bloom better with moderate growth. Too much nitrogen fertilizer
may be harmful to the tree.
Pruning.
Dogwoods seldom
need pruning except for the removal of dead, injuired or diseased
branches. Prune in the dormant season.
Prevent
Bark Injuries. Dogwoods
are thin barked tree and care should be taken to avoid damage from
mowers and law trimmers. Insects may enter from open wounds in the
tree. To avoid damage, maintain a large mulch ring around the tree
and pull weeds by hand.
Will
My Dogwood Bloom?
Dogwoods do not
always bloom the same amount each year. If a healthy dogwood blooms
heavily one year, followed by a large barry crop, the tree may bloom
poorly the next because it spent so much energy the year before. Very
likely the following year with have a specatular show.
Allisonville Nursery
garden
center, garden gifts, landscaping
11405 Allisonville Road
Fishers, IN 46038
Phone
317.849.4490
Fax 317.849.5948
We are not
a mailorder nursery. Plants and products are
available for pick-up at our Fishers, Indiana location.
(back
to top)
