Eastern Flowering Dogwood

Species: Cornus florida

History: Native to parts of southern Canada, the eastern United States, and parts of Mexico, this shrub is now considered endangered in Ontario due to dogwood anthracnose fungus. Eastern Flowering dogwood has been used by indigenous peoples as a malaria remedy and to produce red dye, practices later adopted by European colonizers. The hard wood is good for products such as golf club heads and mallets among other things. This showy plant has quite the reputation in the US where it is the State tree and/or flower of three states. To add to this, in 1915 forty saplings were given by the US to Japan as part of the 1912-1915 flower exchange between Tokyo and Washington DC. 

Why We Grow It: This small tree is a lovely addition to any property and the small red berries are attractive to various animals, although they are poisonous to humans. The fine-grained wood is also great for intricate carving and the tree has various medicinal uses.

Canadian Hardiness Zone: 5

Soil Preference: Prefers rich loam but adaptable to different soils

Growth Habits and Disease Resistance: Small tree that reaches up to 10m. Susceptible to dogwood anthracnose fungus.

Sun/Shade: Shade tolerant (approx. 3-6 hours of sun daily)

Flowering Time: Spring

Bloom Colour: White

Recommended Use: Ornamental, wood carving, medicinal, wildlife

Height above soil line: 30-45cm