Dogwoods
Garden Clippings for June 26, 2021
Dogwoods. Unless they are flowering, they won’t cause heads to turn. But when in bloom, they put on a show like none other.
Dogwoods come in many shapes and sizes, ranging from small shrubs to large bushes that could be called small trees. Some have beautiful flowers while others are known for their foliage. Some are native while most are not.
Eastern Flowering Dogwood (Cornus Florida) is a native understory tree that grows under tall trees and at the edge of the forest. It is plentiful in the middle and southern states but is on the endangered species list in Ontario. There are a few in the bush in areas near London, Chatham, Windsor and along Lake Erie to the Niagara Region. Supposedly there are a few near Sarnia and near Kettle Point, although I have never seen them. Flowers are tiny and yellow, surrounded by four showy, white leaves that everyone thinks are flowers.
Chinese Flowering Dogwood (Cornus Kousa) is similar to our native Dogwood, but with a more uniform shape and longer lasting blooms. The small tree with an ultimate height and spread of 25 feet, is suited for smaller city lots. Like its native cousin, Chinese Dogwood likes rich, well drained soil.
Flowering Dogwoods are marginally hardy, and we are lucky to have them grow in Lambton County. On the hardiness zone map, they land on 5 or 5a, which makes them safe to grow from Windsor Essex to Niagara and Hamilton, but not much beyond.
Samaritan Dogwood is a popular introduction featuring leaves that are variegated in green and white. Flowers are spectacular, but their white colour causes them to blend with their variegated background.
Stellar Pink is an interesting hybrid with pure pink blooms, making it a showy accent plant. Its leaves turn a unique bronze in the fall. Satomi Dogwood is similar but with deeper pink flowers. As Satomi Dogwood matures, it develops a unique horizontal branching pattern.
Take care when planting Flowering Dogwoods. They will grow in sun or partial shade but may want shelter from severe wind and cold locations. For sandy soil, mix compost with the soil and water faithfully especially for the first year or two. A layer of wood mulch will provide insulation of roots. For heavier clay soil, make sure the Dogwood roots do not become waterlogged.
Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus Serica) is another native Dogwood that grows easily through much of Ontario. This plant is prized not for its flowers, but for its red stems that provide winter interest. Red Osier Dogwood is an informally shaped shrub that grows to about 8 feet. Another Dogwood, Yellow Twig, is similar but with interesting golden yellow stems.
Silver Leaf Dogwood is a popular landscape shrub with leaves that are variegated in white and green. Spring flowers are discreet. Stems are red and are nicely used for Christmas decorating. Use Silver Leaf Dogwood in a mixed shrub border to provide contrast in colour.
