Cornus florida aka Flowering Dogwood

Taxonomy

Genus Cornus Family Cornaceae Order Cornales Class Magnoliopsida Phylum Tracheophyta
Cornus florida, also known as the flowering dogwood, is a species of flowering tree in the family Cornaceae. It is native to eastern North America and northern Mexico, where it once spanned from southernmost coastal Maine south to northern Florida and west to the Mississippi River. This small deciduous tree typically grows 15-30' tall with a low-branching, broadly-pyramidal but somewhat flat-topped habit. It is commonly planted as an ornamental in residential and public areas due to its showy bracts and interesting bark structure. The tree arguably may be the most beautiful of the native American flowering trees, blooming in early spring (April) shortly after, but usually overlapping, the bloom period of the redbuds. The true dogwood flowers are actually tiny, yellowish green, and insignificant, being compacted into button-like clusters. However, each flower cluster is surrounded by four showy, white, petal-like bracts which open flat, giving the appearance of a single, large, 3-4” diameter, 4-petaled, white flower. Oval, dark green leaves (3-6” long) turn attractive shades of red in fall, and bright red fruits, loved by birds, are bitter and inedible to humans. The maximum lifespan of the Cornus florida tree is about 80 years, and the genus name comes from the Latin word cornu meaning horn in probable reference to the strength and density of the wood. On the other hand, Mexican Flowering Dogwood is a relatively rare houseplant that belongs to the Cornus genus, native to Southeastern Canada, Eastern North America, and Eastern Mexico. It is easy to grow and needs regular watering to thrive, doing best in long-lasting, direct light and should be less than 1 foot from a window. This plant likes soil that is good at retaining moisture, and it shouldn't need added fertilizers if you repot each time it doubles in size.

Common names

Flowering Dogwood, White Dogwood, Dogwood

How to care for Flowering Dogwood

Difficulty

Flowering Dogwood presents a moderate level of care, which allows plant enthusiasts with some experience to expand their skills and knowledge.

Water

Flowering Dogwood should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Flowering Dogwood requires special care to keep it thriving. Its sensitivity to dry soil means that you need to be especially careful when it comes to selecting the right potting soil. Look for a soil that will retain moisture, but is also well-draining. A good potting soil should have plenty of organic material, such as coco coir or sphagnum moss, which will help to keep the soil moist and provide extra nutrition for your plant. When planting your Dogwood, make sure to mix the soil with some compost or manure to give it an extra boost of nutrients. Additionally, you should water your plant often to ensure that the soil remains moist. With the right care and attention, your Flowering Dogwood will bloom beautifully in your home.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the Flowering Dogwood prefers bright diffused light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Dormancy

During the wintertime, it's common for Flowering Dogwood to go dormant and their growth may slow down, so waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

The toxicity level of this plant has not been officially confirmed by Ploi. If there is a possibility of ingestion of plant material with an uncertain toxicity by you, a family member, or a pet, it is advisable to seek the assistance of a medical professional.

Fertilizer

The growth rate of Flowering Dogwood is slow and it doesn't necessitate additional fertilizing. By changing the soil in its pot annually, the plant should be provided with adequate nutrition. It is crucial to keep in mind that plants derive their energy from the sun, not fertilizers.

Region of origin

Flowering Dogwood’s native range is Eastern N. America - Maine to Florida, east to Kansas and Texas.

More info:
Wikipedia

More Species in Cornus Genus

Cornus quinquenervis

Cornus amomum Silky Cornel

Cornus multinervosa

Cornus nuttallii Pacific Dogwood

Cornus macrophylla Largeleaf Dogwood

Cornus kousa chinensis Chinese Dogwood

Cornus chinensis

Cornus unalaschkensis Western Cordilleran Bunchberry

Cornus controversa Table Dogwood

Cornus sanguinea Common Dogwood