By late winter, the red stems are more vivid than most other types of dogwood. In fall through to late winter, the stems of this deciduous plant are bare, but they are a feast for the eyes in bright shades of red. It is native to Siberia, Korea and parts of China and can be grown as a small tree, or a medium to large shrub. This type of dogwood is highly ornamental, making a colorful display that changes with the seasons. Tatarian DogwoodĬultivars and Varieties: Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’-Siberian Dogwood, Cornus alba ‘Kesselringii’-Black Stem Dogwood, Cornus alba ‘Elegantissima’-White Dogwood Until your trees reach a decent size, you may want to burlap the trunks during the winter months. ![]() Scale insects may be visible as small bumps on the bark, and can be killed with horticultural oil in the spring.ĭeer may nibble on young dogwoods in the winter if food is scarce. Monitor your tree for open wounds, and if you have a recurring problem with borers, apply permethrin to reduce infestations. ![]() ![]() The dogwood borer feeds beneath the bark of the dogwood, and can kill branches or even the tree itself. Powdery mildew can also be a problem, but can be controlled with a fungicide or by planting mildew-resistant varieties such as the kousa dogwood. Prune it out whenever it occurs, and remove leaf debris from around the base of the tree. Pests, diseases, and animalsĪnthracnose can infect dogwoods, leaving brown spots on leaves and dead tissue on leaf edges. The best time to prune is in summer, since they will bleed sap in the spring, which can be messy. Clip any suckers that form at the base of the trunk or branches that are too low and hard to mow under. Remove dead or diseased branches, along with any that are crossed and rubbing against each other. Pruningĭogwoods don’t require regular pruning. They are not self-pollinating, and another tree, preferably of a different cultivar, is needed to produce the tree’s fruit, which ripens and falls to the ground in the fall. What appears to be the flower of the dogwood is actually a series of four bracts, which surround the actual, tiny yellow flowers of the tree. Be stingy when applying the fertilizer – too much can burn the tree’s roots. You can taper off watering the trees during the winter months, when they are dormant.Īpply a slow-release fertilizer formulated for landscape trees and shrubs in the early spring, before the tree breaks dormancy. You want to keep the soil consistently moist, but not soggy, as dogwoods are susceptible to root rot. How to Care for Dogwood Trees Watering and nutrientsĭuring its first few years, water your dogwood as necessary when rain is sparse. They make a great statement, for example, sited in front of mixed hardwoods. You’ll achieve maximum results with these trees by planting them where they’ll be shielded from heavy winds and in partial shade. Native to the eastern coast of the U.S., Dogwoods are understory trees, which means they naturally grow in a spot where they’re protected by other larger trees. If your site drains quickly, make a low ridge of soil around the trunk so the water can puddle there til it soaks down.Īdd a mulch of chipped wood or pine straw around the trunk, and keep that area free of weeds, adding more mulch as necessary over the years. Water when the hole is halfway full, and again when you’re finished. Loosen any roots that are circling the root ball so they don’t girdle the tree, and place your tree in the hole with the root ball extending several inches above ground level.īackfill with soil, tamping as you go, and heap up the soil to cover the root ball. If your soil is sandy, mix in peat moss or top soil to retain moisture. Mix a generous amount of compost, shredded leaves, or other organic material in the hole. ![]() Your dogwood prefers partial shade, especially in the afternoon, and shelter from wind.ĭig a hole several times wider than your sapling’s root ball and just as deep. Site your tree in well-drained, neutral-pH soil that is rich in organic matter. How to Grow Dogwood Trees How to plant dogwood treesĭogwood trees are best planted in late winter, after the ground has thawed but before buds have broken into new growth. Even better, they offer four seasons of beauty: showy pink or white flowers in the spring, a full canopy in the summer, fiery bright leaves in autumn, and, for some varieties, interesting bark patterns that light up the winter garden. One of the most classic landscape trees, dogwoods add grace and presence to any yard they inhabit. By Mary Van Keuren | Gardener (30+ Years Experience) – last update on December 2, 2021
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