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Flowering Dogwood Wikimedia Commons
Cornaceae

Flowering Dogwood

Cornus florida

Durability and devotion.

Family
Cornaceae
Genus
Cornus
Native to
Eastern North America
Bloom season
Spring
Type
Deciduous tree
Height
15-30 feet
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade
Soil
Acidic, well-drained
Water
Moderate
Hardiness
5-9
Lifespan
Perennial

Did you know

  • The showy white 'petals' are actually bracts; the true flowers are the tiny cluster in the center.
  • Flowering dogwood is the state tree of Virginia and Missouri and the state flower of North Carolina.
  • Native Americans used dogwood bark to treat fevers, earning it the nickname 'quinine bark.'
  • The wood is exceptionally hard and was historically used to make shuttles for weaving.
  • Dogwood anthracnose, a fungal disease discovered in the 1970s, has devastated many wild populations.

Color meanings

0

Faithfulness

1

Safety

2

Determination

Uses

  • Ornamental
  • Woodworking
  • Wildlife food
  • Traditional medicine