A magnificent ornamental, the eastern flowering dogwood grows to about 10 metres high and can live up to 100 years.
Many people think that the pink or white petals form a flower, but they are actually floral bracts.
The red fruits are in the form of clusters. The eastern flowering dogwood grows best in acid soils. It is found in the understory of broadleaf stands in eastern North America to southern Ontario. It tolerates harsh winters but is intolerant of late frosts. It reproduces by seed dispersal, layering and cuttings.