Prune your hawthorns after they have bloomed, as well. Again, I would remove only a third or less of the plant's height. In late March, I planted a pink dogwood in an area that receives partial sun. By the end of April, it had died. Dogwoods are beautiful understory trees, but not all gardeners here have been successful with this spring-flowering plant.
Dogwoods are at their best in a sandy, acidic soil and in areas that receive abundant rain.
But moisture in a poorly draining soil spells trouble. I would have the soil in your garden tested to determine the acidity. If it is alkaline, you can gradually boost acidity with soil amendments such as sulfur and compost. Give it such soil conditions under tall trees, avoid commercial fertilizers and you should have better luck. Please write again.