When people think of a dogwood tree, they often think of a flowering dogwood. Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) is native to the Eastern United States and is adapted to all areas of South Carolina.

Did you know there are two other species of dogwoods that will grow in South Carolina? Kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa) and Cornelian cherry dogwood (Cornus mas) will grow in all areas of South Carolina except along the coast from Charleston to Savannah.
The height and spread of a dogwood depends on the species and its location in the landscape. A flowering dogwood will get to height of 15-20 feet tall in the sun to 40 feet tall in the shade. The spread may be greater than the height. Dogwoods grow at a slow to moderate rate at about 20 feet in 25 years.
The “flowers” of the flowering and kousa dogwood are not actually flowers, but bracts. Bracts are modified leaves that look like petals. The true flowers are clusters in the centers of the bracts. The bracts may be white, pink, or yellow. Flowering and Cornelian cherry dogwoods bloom in late winter/early spring before the leaves appear, whereas the kousa dogwood blooms later in the spring after leaves have emerged. The flowering and Cornelian cherry dogwoods have a scarlet red fruit, while the kousa dogwood has a pinkish red fruit.
Sadly, the flowering dogwood is susceptible to many diseases and insect pests. Some kousa dogwoods are more resistant to these pests than flowering dogwood. The cornelian cherry dogwood is generally pest-free.
Dogwoods can be used as a screen, border accent, near a patio or deck, or as a specimen in the landscape. The flowering dogwood prefers partial shade, especially shade in the hot afternoon. Other dogwoods do well in full sun or partial shade.
Dogwoods prefer well-drained, moist, acidic (5.5-6.0 pH) soil that is high in organic matter. Mulch a large area around the tree to help retain soil moisture and prevent mechanical damage from string trimmers and lawn mowers. Mature trees should have a 2- to 3-inch deep mulch rings of at least 8 to 10 feet in diameter around the tree. Do not place the mulch directly against the trunk.
Fertilize dogwoods lightly in the spring once frost has passed with a well-balanced, extended-release, acid-forming, azalea fertilizer. Fertilize again 6 weeks later to encourage extra flowers or faster growth of young trees. Avoid fertilizing drought stressed trees by during the summer months. A well-balanced fertilizer will have a ration of 2-1-1.
Dogwoods do not tolerate extremely wet or dry soils and should be watered deeply during dry periods, especially if located in the sun. One to two inches of water per week is adequate during dry periods. Sufficient soil moisture is important during the summer months, especially for the flowering dogwood because it is a shallow-rooted tree. Irrigate during the morning to reduce the risk of foliar disease.
For more information on dogwoods and a list of recommended dogwood cultivars, please visit the Home and Garden Information Center website at hgic.clemson.edu. Tune in on Tuesday nights to watch “Making it Grow” at 7pm on SCETV or mig.org. Email Outen at callenb@clemson.edu.
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