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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 Plant Materials Program

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

*Wildlife*: The fruit is choice fall and winter food of the gray
squirrel and fox squirrel, bobwhite, cedar waxwing, cardinal, flicker,
mockingbird, robin, wild turkey, and woodpecker. The leaves and twigs
are choice food for the white-tailed deer. It is not an important
nesting plant.

*Ornamental*: It is an important ornamental tree used around homes and
office buildings because of its striking display when it is in full
bloom.

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

Please consult the PLANTS Web site 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}

![Color image of Flowering Dogwood (Cornus
florida)](media/image2.jpeg){width="2.1145669291338582in"
height="3.177165354330709in"}*Cornus florida* L., flowering dogwood, is
a small, bushy tree which rarely attains a height of more than 40 feet
or a diameter of 12 to 18 inches. The leaves are opposite one another
and from 3 to 6 inches long. The deeply ridged and broken bark resembles
alligator hide. Flowering dogwood has large, showy, deeply notched
bracts, 4 of which surround each cluster of inconspicuous perfect
flowers, in bloom from May to June. The fruit clusters on this
shrub-like tree are scarlet red.

##### Adaptation and Distribution {#adaptation-and-distribution .Header-3}

Flowering dogwood is adapted to most upland sites but grows best on
rich, well-drained soils on middle and lower slopes. It develops best as
an understory species in association with other hardwoods.

Flowering dogwood is distributed throughout the eastern United States.
For a current distribution map, please consult the Plant Profile page
for this species on the PLANTS Website.

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

Plants can be grown from seed planted 1/2 inch deep in late winter.

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

In tree harvest or timber stand improvement operations, specify that 5
or 6 dogwoods per acre be left in the forest for aesthetic purposes and
as a food source for squirrels, turkeys, deer, and non-game birds. Leave
all dogwoods along highways and roads.

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

There are several wood boring insects and canker diseases that attack
the main stem while others invade the branches and leaves.

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

Seedlings can be purchased from most commercial hardwood nurseries.

##### Prepared By & Species Coordinator: {#prepared-by-species-coordinator .Header-3}

USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program

Edited: 01Feb2002 JLK ; 25may06jsp

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/)\>

*The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in
all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual
orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases
apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means for communication of program information (Braille,
large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA\'s [TARGET
Center](http://www.usda.gov/oo/target.htm) at 202-720-2600 (voice and
TDD).*

*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice or
TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.*

*Read about [Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Convervation
Service](http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/civilrights/).*