Dogwoods - now you're barking up the right tree! The Cornus or Dogwood genus of trees and shrubs has family members from both North America and Asia. The Dogwood most commonly grown in NZ hails from North America and is known as Cornus florida. In this case "florida" actually means flowering rather than place of origin. The Americans love this tree so much it is the State tree for both Virginia and Missouri. Cornus kousa which hails from Japan is becoming more popular in NZ and Cornus kousa Moonlight is a firm favourite with the team here at Wairere. All Dogwoods are deciduous and frost hardy with the exception of Cornus capitata which is semi evergreen and only tolerates light frost. To get the best from Dogwoods you really must be able to give them the conditions they thrive on. They require a sunny spot with no more than the lightest shade plus deep nourishing soil that is not too wet in winter. Dogwoods love a cold winter and hot dry summer. For those who have warm winters (Waikato North) then try Cornus Eddies White Wonder which has been bred to cope with warmer temperatures. If you do not provide Cornus with the correct conditions they can become susceptible to anthracnose disease which is a fungus disease typified by brown to tan irregular spots and blotches on the leaves. This can be treated with fungicide but prevention with the correct cultural requirements is really the answer. Dogwoods flower in spring, the "flower" is made up of four bracts that surround a small central dome. With some varieties showy "strawberry" like fruits follow the flowers. All Dogwoods should have excellent autumn colour and this is probably their most highly valued feature. Look for variegated varieties which have fabulous foliage interest throughout spring, summer and autumn. *In case you are curious the name Dogwood is said to have come from the fact that the bark from the tree was used to make up a solution for bathing mangy dogs! There is also the legend that the wood from the Dogwood was used to make the cross Jesus was crucified on and ever since that time the tree has had 4 floral bracts to represent the cross with a red centre to represent the blood of Christ. The tree will also never grow large enough to provide timber for another cross. Cornus or Dogwood, fact or fiction, no matter which, is always a worthy choice for a special specimen tree or group planting.

26 LISTINGS FOR CORNUS

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aka Kousa or Asian Dogwood

The Asian Dogwood is often described as a large shrub because of its multi-stemmed habit rather than having a single trunk. Dark green foliage in spring-summer with good autumn tones before fall. The flower bracts are large, star shaped and a deep pink. Very showy in late spring. Est.10yr.growth.

Cornus prefer a nice deep rich acid soil so choose your planting spot well.

 

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aka Kousa or Asian Dogwood

This large multi-stemmed shrub has the most beautiful variegated foliage in various shades of green and creamy white. The leaves are off-set by the purple shading of the twigs. Large showy white flower bracts in late spring. Special. Likes nice rich acid soil. Deciduous. Est.10yr.growth.

 

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aka Dogwood

An American hybrid valued for the ruby red flower bracts that appear in spring. The new spring foliage is an attractive bronze-red before turning the usual green. Striking autumn colour adds to the overall value of this specimen tree. Plant in a sunny spot in nice rich soil. Deciduous. Est.10yr.growth.

 

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aka Dogwood

Showy red flower bracts appear in spring followed by red strawberry fruits that birds love. The variegated green foliage is broadly outlined with lemon yellow, with hints of bronze and pink in spring. Striking autumn colour. Plant in a sunny position. Deciduous.

 

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aka Dogwood

A reasonably hardy, tree that produces reddish-pink flowers emerging from mid to late spring. The lush green summer foliage turns to various shades of orange, crimson and red in autumn. Grow in partial shade or full sun where soil is rich in organic material, moist but free-draining. Deciduous

 

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aka Kousa or Asian Dogwood

Asian Dogwood. An upright form of this large multi-stemmed deciduous shrub. In late spring semi-double white flower bracts are showy and dramatic. The new foliage is a fresh rich green and has good autumn colour before leaf fall. Plant in rich acid soil best results. Deciduous

 

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aka Kousa or Asian Dogwood

This large shrub or small tree will delight in spring-summer with masses of star-shaped white flower bracts. The bracts are followed by red fruits. The green summer foliage turns to purple and red tones prior to leaf fall. Plant in the sun with rich acid soil for best results. Est.10yr.growth.

 

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aka Kousa or Asian Dogwood

Creamy white star shaped bracts smother this large shrub over late spring through to end of January and contrast nicely against the dark green foliage. Pinkish red strawberry like fruit in autumn along with stunning autumn tones on foliage prior to leaf fall. Prefers rich acid soil. Est. 10yr. growth.

 

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aka Dogwood

A lovely showy 'Dogwood' with colourful spring-summer foliage in tones of soft yellow splashed with green. In autumn the foliage turns a veritable rainbow of colour prior to leaf fall. You will also enjoy lovely white flower bracts in spring, what more could you want? Est.10yr.growth.

 

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aka Dogwood

Beautiful green foliage for back-ground planting. The leaves turn to stunning shades of red and fall to reveal deep red stems, adding naked colour to the winter garden. To encourage colourful bark, remove a third of the stems back to ground level each spring. Easy to grow.