Flowering dogwood

Some of the tree and shrub dogwoods (Cornus kousa) have a graceful spreading habit, which provides sweeping branches of eye-catching white or pink flower bracts. The bright-yellow, late-winter blooms of the Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas) start off the year in a cheery way. The elegant wedding-cake trees (Cornus controversa and Cornus alternifolia) have horizontal branches in tiers adorned with clusters of tiny white flowers. Cornus canadensis makes an excellent groundcover with its creeping stems.

Dogwoods grow in most soils, though flowering types prefer neutral to acid soil. They can do well in sun or partial shade. Variegated forms need to be in the sun to make the best leaf colour.

Dogwoods will not thrive in excessively dry soil. Flowering will be poor in deep shade.

Although the fruit of flowering dogwood is edible, the flavour and texture is nothing special; so it is better to leave them on the tree for ornamental value and the birds.