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| ## flowering dogwood {#flowering-dogwood .Title-Header}               |
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| *Cornus florida* L.                                                   |
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| Plant Symbol = COFL2                                                  |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center

![](media/image2.jpeg){width="2.533333333333333in"
height="2.3243055555555556in"}

#####  {#section .Header-3}

##### Alternate Names  {#alternate-names .Header-3}

American boxwood, arrowwood, *Benthamia florida*, boxwood, cornel,
cornelian tree, *Cornus candidissima, Cornus florida* forma *pendula,
Cornus florida* forma *pluribracteata, Cornus florida* forma
*xanthocarpa, Cornus florida* var. *pendula, Cornus florida* var.
*rosea, Cornus florida* var. *rubra, Cynoxylon floridum*, dogwood,
eastern flowering dogwood, white cornel, white dogwood.

**WARNING: The fruit of flowering dogwood is poisonous to humans.**

##### Uses {#uses .Header-3}

*Ethnobotanic:* Flowering dogwood root bark was used by Native Americans
as a fever reducer, skin astringent, an antidiarrheal agent, and as a
pain reliever for headaches, sores, and muscle inflammations. It was
also used to counteract the effects of many poisons and as a general
tonic for unspecified ailments. The bark was used for headache and
backache relief, as a throat aid for hoarseness, and as an infusion for
childhood diseases like worms and measles. Flowers were infused to

reduce fever and relieve colic pains. Compound infusions of several
plant parts were used as blood

purifiers and as medicine for blood diseases like malaria.

*Ornamental*: The showy blossoms and attractive fall foliage make
flowering dogwood a valuable ornamental species. It is commonly used in
landscape and street plantings. As a garden tree, it is used for shade
around patios, as a shrub border or backdrop species, or as single
specimens in the lawn. It is best suited for plantings receiving less
than full-day sun.

*Restoration*: Flowering dogwood is a *soil improver* because its leaf
litter decomposes more rapidly than most other species. For this reason
flowering dogwood has been planted on abandoned strip mines and used for
urban forestry projects.

*Wildlife*: Flowering dogwood is a valuable food plant for wildlife
because high calcium and fat contents make it palatable. Many bird types
including songbirds, forest edge species, and upland game birds (e.g.
wild turkey) consume the seeds. The eastern chipmunk, white-footed
mouse, gray fox, gray squirrel, black bear, beaver, white-tailed deer,
and skunk readily consume flowering dogwood seeds as well. Beaver,
rabbits, and deer browse the leaves and sprouts of the plant. Flowering
dogwood also provides shelter and habitat for many wildlife species.

*Wood production*: The wood of flowering dogwood has been harvested for
the manufacture of tool handles, charcoal, wheel cogs, hayforks, and
pulleys. It is occasionally used to make specialty items like golf club
heads, roller skate wheels, knitting needles, and spools. The wood is
hard, strong, and shock resistant, making it suitable for wood products
that need to withstand rough use.

##### Legal Status {#legal-status .Header-3}

Flowering dogwood is endangered in Maine, exploitably vulnerable in New
York, and threatened in Vermont. Please consult the PLANTS Web site
(http://plants.usda.gov) and your State Department of Natural Resources
for this plant's current status (e.g. threatened or endangered species,
state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

##### Description {#description .Header-3}

*General*: Dogwood Family (Cornaceae). Flowering dogwood is a deciduous
multi-branched shrub or small tree, characterized by a rounded crown and
horizontal branches that spread wider than its height. Flowering dogwood
is typically 5 to 15 m tall. The bark on mature trees is broken into
small square blocks that give the stem an "alligator" appearance. Leaves
are opposite, simple, medium-green in color, 7.6 to 15 cm long, and less
than 7 cm wide. The veins follow the elliptic curve of the leaf
(arcuate). Autumn foliage turns red or purple. The flowers are yellow,
very small, and clustered into inflorescences that are surrounded by 4
large white (pink) bracts. Each bract has a rounded notch on the outer
edge. The fruit are yellow to red berrylike drupes that contain one to
two cream-colored, ellipsoid seeds. Flowers appear between March and
June, with or before the leaves, and persist for 2 to 4 weeks. Fruits
ripen in September and October.

Key characteristics of flowering dogwood are its opposite leaves with
arcuate venation, large showy flowers (bracts), onion-shaped terminal
flower buds, and alligator bark on mature trees.

*Distribution*: Flowering dogwood is native to the northeastern and
southeastern United States. It occurs from Maine, south to Florida and
west to eastern Texas, Missouri, Illinois, and southern Michigan. For
current distribution, please consult the Plant Profile page for this
species on the PLANTS Web site (http://plants.usda.gov).

*Habitat*: Flowering dogwood is an important understory species in the
eastern deciduous and southern coniferous forests. It is also found on
floodplains, slopes, bluffs, ravines, gum swamps, along fencerows, and
in old-field communities. It is mentioned in 22 of the 90 Society of
American Foresters forest cover types including jack pine, beech-sugar
maple, eastern hemlock, oak-hickory, and prairie.

##### Adaptation {#adaptation .Header-3}

The USDA hardiness zones for flowering dogwood is 5 to 9. Flowering
dogwood trees grow best in course to medium textured, well-drained soils
with a pH range of 6 to 7. They are sensitive to rapidly changing soil
temperature and are most abundant in temperature-consistent woodland
soils. Although they are tolerant of seasonal dry periods, they are not
tolerant of severe drought or heavy, saturated soils. The inability to
grow on extremely dry sites is attributed to their shallow root system.

Flowering dogwood is an indicator of rich soil (mesic sites), but
smaller trees will occur on more xeric sites. Trees growing in the mesic
sites are more susceptible to dogwood anthracnose (see Pests and
Potential Problems). In the future, flowering dogwood may only be found
on poor, dry sites.

Partial or broken shade is best, but flowering dogwood can tolerate full
sun. It does best with some shade in the south and full sun in the
north. Shaded trees are less dense, grow more quickly and taller, and
have poor flowering and fall color. Trees exposed to more sun are
stouter, bushier, and produce more flowers.

Flowering dogwood is not tolerant of stresses such as heat, drought,
pollution, or salt. These stresses make flowering dogwood more
susceptible to disease, pests, and other problems.

##### Establishment {#establishment .Header-3}

Flowering dogwood is intolerant of extended drought periods, especially
during the first year after planting. Daily watering is necessary for
the first few weeks following planting. After one month, watering should
be reduced to two times per week and continue for one year.
Establishment takes 6 to 12 months for each inch of trunk diameter.
Larger trees benefit from irrigation during the second year.

##### Management {#management .Header-3}

Flowering dogwood is moderately resistant to herbicides although direct
application of Garlon has killed the plant. Mechanically cutting stems
results in smaller resprouts. Midsummer-cut regeneration is typically
smaller and shorter than regeneration from winter-cut.

Plants commonly resprout from the root crown after aboveground
vegetation is damaged or destroyed by fire. The aboveground portions of
flowering dogwood are readily damaged by fire because the thin bark
allows fatal levels of heat to reach the cambium very quickly. Post-fire
recovery is generally more rapid after surface fires than after crown
fires.

Extreme soil moisture and flooding is detrimental to the survival of
flowering dogwood. The tree can be uprooted in saturated soil. Excess
water also leaves this plant susceptible to pests and diseases.

Established trees in partial or deep shade need irrigation only in times
of drought. Those in full sun will need regular irrigation throughout
their lives.

##### Pests and Potential Problems {#pests-and-potential-problems .Header-3}

Dogwood borer larvae move through openings in the bark and feed on the
trunks of flowering dogwood. If the cambium is destroyed, branches or
the entire tree will die. Leaves will turn red and drop early, and bark
will slough off around holes on the trunk or branches. An advantageous
point of entry for larvae is through wounds. For this reason, avoid
hitting the trunk with lawn mowers or string trimmers to prevent
infestation. Insecticides are preventative, but will not control an
existing infestation.

Twig borers will kill the tips of young twigs, but rarely kill an entire
tree because they are usually present in small numbers. Twig borers
tunnel through the pith and deposit ambrosia fungi as a food source for
larvae. This infestation causes wilted leaves at the end of branches,
and can be controlled by pruning infected twigs below the discolored
pith area.

Larvae of the dogwood club-gall midge cause twigs to swell at the base
of flowering dogwood leaves. An early symptom of club gall is a wilted,
deformed leaf. The twig beyond the gall may die, but galls can be pruned
and destroyed. In early fall, larvae drop from the gall to over winter
on the ground. A light infestation is not harmful, but a heavy
infestation will stunt the growth of the tree.

Flowering dogwood is threatened by dogwood blight caused by the dogwood
anthracnose fungus. Tan and purple colored leaf spots develop in the
lower canopy and progress up the tree. Infection spreads into the
shoots, main branches, and trunk causing cankers to form. Multiple
cankers can girdle the trunk and kill the tree. Diseased trees produce
shoots that also become infected on the lower trunk and leaves.
Stressful environmental conditions like drought or acid rain may weaken
trees, predisposing them to dogwood blight. Dogwood blight can be
controlled if the disease is detected before branch dieback begins.
Prune and remove all dead twigs, dead limbs, and new shoots, and rake
and remove fallen leaves. Remove crowding vegetation and thin the canopy
to promote air circulation. Avoid nitrogen fertilizer. Fungicides can
prevent infestations of new leaves and flowers.

Spot anthracnose attacks flowering dogwood leaves, stems, flowers, and
buds. Spots are usually very small with reddish or purplish borders.
Severe infestations can prevent flower buds from opening, distort
leaves, and weaken trees. Fungicides containing bordeaux 4-4-100,
chlorothalonil, or mancozeb can control spot anthracnose on new plant
tissue. Clean up and dispose of infected leaves on the ground near the
tree since this is where the fungi survive the winter.

Cankers form at wound sites and allow entrance to harmful insects and
fungi. Initial symptoms of cankers are blackened or water soaked areas
on the bark. This area will grow and will ooze a black liquid. Leaves
will appear smaller and paler. Cankers cannot be controlled. Prevent
formation by avoiding trunk wounds.

Root injury, over-fertilization, or lack of soil drainage can lead to
root rot. Powdery mildew forms on new growth causing reddish
discoloration, premature defoliation, and dead patches. Leaf scorch
symptoms are browning and drying leaf margins. These symptoms can be
caused by a lack of available soil moisture, transplanting shock,
fertilizer or salt injury to roots or root rot diseases. Raking up
fallen leaves and improving air circulation through the canopy can
control and prevent powdery mildew and leaf scorch.

##### Seeds and Plant Production {#seeds-and-plant-production .Header-3}

##### Flowering dogwood seeds can be hand-sown into outdoor beds soon after collection (September to October). This allows for the seeds to undergo natural warm stratification prior to exposure to cooler winter temperatures. Imbibe seeds overnight, dust with fungicide, and hand-sow 5 to 6 inches apart in rows. Sprinkle endomycorrhizae over the seed before covering with soil. Mulch the bed with sawdust. Seeds can be artificially cold stratified for 100 to 130 days and germinated at 15 to 27^o^C. Prior to spring emergence (March to April), remove mulch. Place shade cloth above newly emerged seedlings and keep it in place until August.  {#flowering-dogwood-seeds-can-be-hand-sown-into-outdoor-beds-soon-after-collection-september-to-october.-this-allows-for-the-seeds-to-undergo-natural-warm-stratification-prior-to-exposure-to-cooler-winter-temperatures.-imbibe-seeds-overnight-dust-with-fungicide-and-hand-sow-5-to-6-inches-apart-in-rows.-sprinkle-endomycorrhizae-over-the-seed-before-covering-with-soil.-mulch-the-bed-with-sawdust.-seeds-can-be-artificially-cold-stratified-for-100-to-130-days-and-germinated-at-15-to-27oc.-prior-to-spring-emergence-march-to-april-remove-mulch.-place-shade-cloth-above-newly-emerged-seedlings-and-keep-it-in-place-until-august. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-1 .Header-3}

##### Flowering dogwood can also be propagated by cutting, grafting, layering, and root division. It roots easily from cuttings taken in June or immediately after the plants bloom. Cut 8 cm of the terminal shoot tip, keeping 2 to 4 leaves, and dip into a one part indole-butyric acid (IBA) to 250 part talc (by weight) mixture. Set cuttings approximately 3 cm deep in rooting medium and grow under a misting system with a photoperiod of at least 18 hours. {#flowering-dogwood-can-also-be-propagated-by-cutting-grafting-layering-and-root-division.-it-roots-easily-from-cuttings-taken-in-june-or-immediately-after-the-plants-bloom.-cut-8-cm-of-the-terminal-shoot-tip-keeping-2-to-4-leaves-and-dip-into-a-one-part-indole-butyric-acid-iba-to-250-part-talc-by-weight-mixture.-set-cuttings-approximately-3-cm-deep-in-rooting-medium-and-grow-under-a-misting-system-with-a-photoperiod-of-at-least-18-hours. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-2 .Header-3}

##### Plants are best suited for transplanting at the beginning of the third year. Seedling survival is generally best on moist, rich, well-drained soils. Flowering dogwood may be difficult to transplant, but seedlings with a root ball are more successful than bare root transplants. {#plants-are-best-suited-for-transplanting-at-the-beginning-of-the-third-year.-seedling-survival-is-generally-best-on-moist-rich-well-drained-soils.-flowering-dogwood-may-be-difficult-to-transplant-but-seedlings-with-a-root-ball-are-more-successful-than-bare-root-transplants. .Header-3}

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) {#cultivars-improved-and-selected-materials-and-area-of-origin .Header-3}

Several cultivars of flowering dogwood are readily available from
commercial sources. These cultivars have been developed for leaf color
and variegation, flower color, fruit color, plant height, growth rate,
and disease resistance.

Some examples of flowering dogwood cultivars include 'Apple Blossom,'
'Bay Beauty,' 'Cherokee Brave,' 'Cherokee Chief,' 'Cloud 9,' 'First
Lady,' 'Mystery,' 'Purple Glory,' 'Sweetwater Red,' and 'Welchii.'

**References**

Agricultural Research Center. 2004. *GRIN taxonomy*
(http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/index, 19 May 2004). USDA,
Beltsville.

Athenic Systems. 2004. *North American Trees*
(http://www.treeguide.com/namerican_tree.asp, 19 May 2004). Nature Hills
Nursery, Omaha.

Baskin, C.C. and J.M. Baskin. 2001. *Propagation protocol for production
of container [Cornus florida]{.underline} L. plants.*
(http://www.nativeplantnetwork.org, 19 May 2004). Forest Research
Nursery, College of Natural Resources, University of Idaho, Moscow.

Bowen, M.S. 2003. *Louisiana ecosystems and plant identification*
(http://rnrstreamer.lsu.edu/ecosystems/ webtour/, 24 May 2004). Ag
Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge.

Brand, M. 2001. *Cornus florida*
(http://www.hort.ucon.edu/plants/c/corflo/corflo1.html, 19 May 2004).
University of Connecticut Plant Database, Storrs.

Christman, S. 2004. *Cornus florida*
(http://www.floridata.com/ref/C/cornus_f.cfm, 19 May 2004). Floridata,
Tallahassee.

Cook, C.W. 2003. *Trees, shrubs, and woody vines of central North
Carolina* (http://www.duke.edu/\~cwcook/trees/, 24 May 2004). Duke
University, Durham.

Evans, E. 2001. *Plant fact sheets*
(http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/index.html, 19
May 2004). North Carolina State University, Raleigh.

Gilman, E.F. and K.C. Ruppert. 1994. *Cornus florida,* Fact Sheet ENH-40
(http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MG267). Florida Cooperative Extension Service,
Institute of Food and Agricultural Science, University of Florida,
Gainesville.

#####  {#section-3 .Header-3}

##### Hamel, P.B. and M.U. Chiltoskey. 1975. *Cherokee plants and their uses---a 400 year history.* Herald Publishing, Sylva. {#hamel-p.b.-and-m.u.-chiltoskey.-1975.-cherokee-plants-and-their-usesa-400-year-history.-herald-publishing-sylva. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-4 .Header-3}

##### Herrick, J.W. 1977. *Iroquois medical botany.* State University of New York, Albany. {#herrick-j.w.-1977.-iroquois-medical-botany.-state-university-of-new-york-albany. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-5 .Header-3}

##### Kujawski, J. and K.M. Davis. 2001. *Propagation protocol for production of plug and transplants of [Cornus florida]{.underline} plants.* (http://www.nativeplantnetwork.org, 19 May 2004). Forest Research Nursery, College of Natural Resources, University of Idaho, Moscow. {#kujawski-j.-and-k.m.-davis.-2001.-propagation-protocol-for-production-of-plug-and-transplants-of-cornus-florida-plants.-httpwww.nativeplantnetwork.org-19-may-2004.-forest-research-nursery-college-of-natural-resources-university-of-idaho-moscow. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-6 .Header-3}

##### McLemore, B.F. 1990. *Flowering dogwood.* (http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/silvics_manual/table_of_contents.htm, 19 May 2004). USDA Forest Service, Washington D.C.  {#mclemore-b.f.-1990.-flowering-dogwood.-httpwww.na.fs.fed.usspfopubssilvics_manualtable_of_contents.htm-19-may-2004.-usda-forest-service-washington-d.c. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-7 .Header-3}

##### Tirmenstein, C.A. 1991. *Cornus florida*. (http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/, 19 May 2004). Fire Sciences Laboratory, Rocky Mountain Research Station, USDA Forest Service, Missoula. {#tirmenstein-c.a.-1991.-cornus-florida.-httpwww.fs.fed.usdatabasefeis-19-may-2004.-fire-sciences-laboratory-rocky-mountain-research-station-usda-forest-service-missoula. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-8 .Header-3}

##### Virginia Tech Forestry Department. 2003. *Dendrology tree fact sheets* (http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/factsheets.cfm, 19 May 2004). Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg. {#virginia-tech-forestry-department.-2003.-dendrology-tree-fact-sheets-httpwww.cnr.vt.edudendrodendrologyfactsheets.cfm-19-may-2004.-virginia-polytechnic-institute-and-state-university-blacksburg. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-9 .Header-3}

##### Wunderlin, R.P., and B.F. Hansen. 2003. *Atlas of Florida vascular plants* (http://www.plantatlas.usf.edu, 19 May 2004). Institute of Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa. {#wunderlin-r.p.-and-b.f.-hansen.-2003.-atlas-of-florida-vascular-plants-httpwww.plantatlas.usf.edu-19-may-2004.-institute-of-systematic-botany-university-of-south-florida-tampa. .Header-3}

##### Prepared By:  {#prepared-by .Header-3}

*Sarah Wennerberg*

USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

##### Species Coordinator:  {#species-coordinator .Header-3}

*Mark Skinner*

USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

##### Edited: 25May2004 sbw; 20Oct2004 rln; 25may06jsp {#edited-25may2004-sbw-20oct2004-rln-25may06jsp .Header-4}

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

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