Dwarf dogwood, also known as red-tipped dogwood, is a small compact, mounded shrub reaching 2 to 3 feet high and 3 to 4 feet wide. Many gardeners choose to remove the pods because they draw energy from the plant. Flowering Dogwood sometimes grows to the size of a small tree. … Their average mature height is 15 to 25 feet tall. Flowering Dogwood. but blooms later and will bloom again if you deadhead it (remove spent blooms). Cornus florida 'Barton', with its lovely white blooms, would make a nice addition to a woodland garden in zones 5b-8a. As long as you offer the tree plenty of water and sunshine, like most plants, the Dogwood will do just fine. Most species have attractive fall foliage in shades of burgundy, orange, and red. Ornamental crabapple (Malus spp.) Once it matures to 15 to 25 feet in height, the thorns should not be a problem. It grows well in USDA hardiness zones as low as 6A. The tight branches weep while the central trunk grows straight up. Date added to the Species at Risk in Ontario List. Flowering Dogwoods are best planted in full sun and cool, moist, acidic soils. The shallow root system will benefit from a layer of mulch to maintain a cool root environment. So there are many reasons to plant a Cornus in your garden. We don't all have room for a mighty oak or a weeping beech in our backyards. There are green- and red-leaf varieties that turn eye-catching shades of red, orange, and purple in the fall. dogwood bloom image by robert mobley from Fotolia.com Blooming at about the same time as redbud trees in the eastern American woodlands, pink flowering dogwoods (Cornus florida forma rubra) produce pink to rose to rose-red bracts around their true tiny greenish-yellow flowers. Many have attractive bark, such as the white paper bark birch and river birch, along with wonderful golden fall color. They cover the tree's canopy. They provide a month of spring flowers that attract native pollinators, including honeybees. This adorable dogwood makes the perfect addition to pathways, outdoor seating areas and smaller landscapes. This 4- to 8-inch tall diminutive member of the Cornus genus is also known as "bunchberry, "bunchberry dogwood" and "Canadian dwarf cornel.". Flowering dogwood has a low-branching habit with a flattish crown. They can reach heights of 25 to 30 feet. That’s right – 1 foot! Once the name dogwood was affixed to this kind of tree, it soon acquired a secondary name as the Hound's Tree, while the fruits came to be known as dogberries or houndberries (the latter a name also for the berries of black… Saucer magnolias might need a bit of shaping through pruning, but they don't grow much taller than 20 to 25 feet. Shelley has been writing and editing garden stories for 10 years, and has a Master Gardeners certificate in Oregon. Japanese maples can be shrubby or small trees with weeping habits or spreading canopies. Both Little Poncho and Red Pygmy don't require a shady spot; these trees thrive in sun. A cultivar of the Kousa dogwood, Little Poncho (Cornus kousa ‘Little Poncho’), is one of the best-known mini dogwoods. It’s low-maintenance, with pruning only necessary for shaping or to remove damaged portions. See Also The Monday Garden, by Sue Sweeney. Marie Iannotti is an author, photographer, and speaker with 27 years of experience as a Cornell Cooperative Extension Horticulture Educator and Master Gardener, Japanese Stewartia (Stewartia Pseudocamellia), 11 Great Fragrant Trees for Your Landscape, 17 Types of Flowering Trees for Home Landscaping, 14 Best Fall-Blooming Flowers for Your Perennial Garden, 15 Recommended Flowering Shrubs for Your Home, 20 Best Tall Plants for Container Gardens, 18 Yellow-Flowering Plants for Your Garden, 10 Best Deer-Resistant Shrubs for Landscaping, 12 Trees With Brilliant Fall Color Plus Other Advantages. However, if you have limited space, you may want to consider one of the smaller dogwoods, sometimes called mini dogwood trees. Their average height is 20 to 40 feet tall. The mature black fruit are a favorite of birds. Small Dogwood Tree Varieties.Apr 29, 2015 - The name "dog-tree" entered the English vocabulary before 1548, becoming "dogwood" by 1614. The Dwarf Dogwood "Poncho" is a Japanese Dogwood that only grows to 8-10 ft., unlike an American Dogwood, which can reach heights of 25 ft. In spring, dogwood trees explode with white (or sometimes pink or red) bracts centered with small clusters of yellow flowers. Keep the soil moisture consistent, as these plants don’t do well in soil that’s too wet or too dry. Although it's called the chaste tree, this plant is really more of a deciduous shrub. Types of Kousa Dogwood. Apr 29, 2015 - The name "dog-tree" entered the English vocabulary before 1548, becoming "dogwood" by 1614. So aim to plant your tree somewhere that gets afternoon shade, especially in hot climates, and water it during dry spells. Pacific Dogwood (Cornus Nuttallii) Pacific dogwoods are native to the west coast of North America. Cornus florida, the flowering dogwood, is a species of flowering tree in the family Cornaceae native to eastern North America and northern Mexico.An endemic population once spanned from southernmost coastal Maine south to northern Florida and west to the Mississippi River. Eastern redbuds burst into flower in the very early spring before they leaf out. Whether you are looking for a little shade or a bit of color to brighten your property, these trees mature at under 30 feet tall and generally require minimal maintenance to look great. Other common names: Eastern Flowering Dogwood Other scientific names: Cynoxylon floridum French names: Cornouiller fleuri Family: Dogwood Family (Cornaceae) Group: Dogwoods Distinctive features: Shrub; This dogwood is distinguished by its showy large white flowers that bloom in early spring. However, it does not tolerate pollutants and salt spray very well, so plant it away from roads. These are smallish trees, reaching a height of around 15 to 30 feet. It produces deep pink to red full-size flowers in spite of its small form, blooming in late April and May, according to Rutgers University. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. After establishment, dwarf dogwoods require about 1 inch of water per week during dry periods. The plant has an attractive spreading habit that opens into a vase-like shape. Like crabapples and rose hips, the fruits are edible but tart. They are one of the first trees to bloom in the spring and even look good when they are surrounded by their fallen petals. But if you thin out branches to improve air circulation, it can help to prevent insect and fungal problems. They are beloved for their delicate leaves, which can be deeply lobed, sometimes to the point of being fringed. The delicately fragrant purple-and-white flowers of the saucer magnolia appear before the leaves unfurl in the spring. Kousa dogwood* (Zones 5-8): A 20-to-30-foot tree that’s draped in snow-white or rosy-pink flowers Lollipop crabapple (Zones 3-8): A 10-to-15-foot tree with a slender spread of bushy, white flowers Cornelian cherry dogwood* (Zones 4-8): A slow-growing tree that reaches 25 feet and displays clusters of yellow flowers in very early spring Place a 2-inch layer of mulch underneath the plant to conserve moisture and keep down weeds. Hot, dry conditions can scorch the leaves. This tree tops out at about 8 to 10 feet, according to Fast Growing Trees, and it thrives in USDA hardiness zones 5 to 8. Missouri Botanical Garden: Cornus canadensis, Fast Growing Trees: Little Poncho Dwarf Dogwood, Fine Gardening: A Small Tree With Four-Season Impact, Missouri Botanical Garden: Cornus florida 'Red Pygmy', Information About the Burgundy Belle Red Maple Tree. Uses. Plant one of these for a lavish pop of white, pink, or red flowers … Consider mulch around your tree to keep its roots cool. Alternate-leaved Dogwood (Cornus alternifolia) Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) Gray Dogwood (Cornus racemosa) Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus stolonifera) Rough-leaved Dogwood (Cornus drummondii) Round-leaved Dogwood (Cornus rugosa) Dogwood tree's true flowers are held in a round cluster at the center of each bract, which stay attached to the branches much longer than actual blooms. Prune in the early spring if you need to remove damaged portions or shape the plant. There are several dogwood species, so make sure you choose one that is suitable for your area. It spreads by underground runners, creating a veritable forest of dogwoods. Dogwoods can benefit from a 2- to 4-inch layer of mulch to help maintain moisture around the roots in warm summers. Dogwood berries can be bright red, white, dark blue, or even a combination of dark blue and white, as with the silky dogwood. Pruning isn’t always necessary but can be done as needed in late winter. Plant your tree in a spot that gets enough sun, as pawpaws can get leggy in the shade. This is a very ornamental specimen tree that grows slowly but can eventually reach heights of over 30 feet. Pacific dogwoods have tiny purple-green flower clusters surrounded by large white bracts. Little Poncho produces a profuse display of flowers in late spring, with bracts that can maintain their warm white and pink color for more than six weeks, according to Fine Gardening. However, it is a large shrub, reaching around 8 to 20 feet tall and 5 to 20 feet wide. It is native to Eastern North … This species and the Pacific dogwood are prone to … Eastern Flowering Dogwood is a small tree that reaches 3-10 metres in height and has oval leaves arranged in pairs along the branch. Species include the common dogwood Cornus sanguinea of Eurasia, the widely cultivated flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) of eastern North America, the Pacific dogwood Cornus nuttallii of western North America, the Kousa dogwood Cornus kousa of eastern Asia, and two low-growing boreal species, the Canadian and Eurasian dwarf cornels (or bunchberries), Cornus canadensis and Cornus suecica … Kousa dogwood is an excellent small specimen tree. reach a majestic height of 40 feet or more. The scientific name for this type is Cornus florida. Enhancing the flowers is the peeling bark in mottled shades of orange, red, brown, and gray. Birch trees tend to grow in multi-trunk clumps. Ensure well-drained, somewhat acidic soil. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, The Spruce Gardening & Plant Care Review Board, The Spruce Renovations and Repair Review Board, Dwarf Alberta Spruce (Picea Glauca 'Conica'). Take the word "thorn" in the name of this tree seriously. But there are many small trees that should suit your space. Once the name dogwood was affixed to this kind of tree, it soon acquired a secondary name as the Hound's Tree, while the fruits came to be known as dogberries or houndberries (the latter a name also for the berries of black… Pruning typically isn’t necessary outside of removing dead, damaged, or diseased portions. Flowering Dogwood Trees | Cornus Trees Cornus offer plenty of interest from spring to autumn, with varieties falling into one of two distinct groups. These plants are tolerant of heat and some drought, though they grow best with consistent moisture. There are several excellent species and varieties. Dogwood trees are renowned for their distinctive pretty flower bracts and large ornamental berries, whilst Dogwood shrubs are loved for their vivid coloured stems that really come into their own in winter. Its needles are very dense, and it retains its pyramidal shape without pruning. Serviceberry trees are in the rose family, and you will notice the similarities in both their white spring flowers and the fruits. The latter two are introduced species that have earned a place in American gardens because they are more disease resistant than native species. A seriously small cultivar, the dwarf dogwood (Cornus canadensis) has many of the traits of a traditional dogwood although it's not not actually a tree, but a ground cover. Grow this tree in a location that’s sheltered from strong winds, as its branches are somewhat weak. The toothed, dark-green foliage is attractive from spring to fall and makes a wonderful foil for the flowers. While you would not want to plant a small hawthorn where children or pets will be playing, this tree offers beautiful white spring flowers, long-lasting red fruits that are popular with birds, and glowing orange fall foliage. Although they can reach 60 feet tall, they have a narrow spread at their base, and their canopy will still allow dappled sunlight to pass through into a small yard. Golden chain trees have a distinctive green bark. Pacific or mountain dogwood (Cornus nuttallii) can be grown as a medium-size tree or tall shrub and is the western version of flowering dogwood (Cornus florida). Just be sure to keep the soil moist, especially if you go through stretches without rain. Good drainage is a necessity for your planting site. Although beautiful and popular with wildlife, it can be invasive in certain areas, so check with your local cooperative extension office before planting one in your yard. These species vary wildly, from shrubs to deciduous temperate trees and evergreens. Some dogwoods (Cornus spp.) These are small trees, averaging 10 to 20 feet tall, and they are very low maintenance. Crepe myrtles require a long, warm growing season, but they reward you with stunning flowers throughout the summer and showy fall foliage. Prune as needed, but wear protective clothing due to the thorns. It is often compared to the butterfly bush (Buddleja spp.) The branches of weeping cherry trees can be covered in flowers from their crown to the tips brushing the ground. And they are very popular with birds. Temple Jewel Select plants with an upright growing habit, and use hanging baskets and other vertical planters to maximize your ground space. In spring, these native trees ( Cornus florida ), which grow only to 20 to 30 feet, explode with white (or sometimes pink or red) bracts centered with small clusters of yellow flowers, shouting that winter is finally over. Wolf Eyes This is a small variety of the kousa dogwood, growing to only about ten feet in height. Dogwood Trees belong to the genus Cornus and are a popular small to mid-sized specimen tree with masses of white, pink or red flowers in late spring followed by striking fall foliage on most varieties. Then, the flowers are followed by dangling clusters of fruits that are popular with birds. On average, crabapples stop growing at around 12 to 15 feet tall. February 18, 2009. This tree may be considered invasive in some areas, so check to see if it's problematic in your area before planting it. Here are 18 small trees that are ideal for landscaping tight spaces. Dwarf hybrids and trees that are naturally small in stature provide structure and privacy for practicality's sake, as well as fragrance, colour and movement for pure pleasure. Some bloom in late winter before the leaves open, and others put on their show in the fall. A seriously small cultivar, the dwarf dogwood (Cornus canadensis) has many of the traits of a traditional dogwood although it's not not actually a tree, but a ground cover. These are spring bloomers that look best when given a prominent spot of their own in which they can spread out. Similar species: • Alternate-leaved Dogwood (Cornus alternifolia) - has alternate leaves. Many evergreens make wonderful specimen plants in small yards. Generally, it doesn’t have many problems with pests or diseases. Remove root suckers from your serviceberry if you wish, as they will promote more of a shrub-like, spreading growth habit. You need two pawpaw trees for cross-pollination to produce the fruits. In the Midwest, this is a hardier substitute for the acid-loving flowering dogwood. This cultivar is a slow-growing tree that typically reaches just 3 feet tall after five years, then matures to its full 7-foot height at 10 years. 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