The Four Seasons of Dogwood Trees

A Year-Round Symphony of Beauty

Scientifically known as Cornus Florida, dogwood trees are a cherished and iconic part of the American landscape. These stunning trees have earned their place in the hearts of many due to their distinctive beauty throughout the four seasons. From the delicate blossoms of spring to the fiery hues of autumn and the elegant silhouettes of winter, dogwood trees captivate our senses year-round. In this journey through the four seasons of dogwood trees, we will explore the unique characteristics of different dogwood varieties, including the White Princess, Cherokee Chief, and Kousa Dogwood, and discover tips for appreciating their splendor in every season.

Spring: The Blossoming Beauty

Spring is the season of renewal, and dogwood trees burst forth with vitality during this time. Among the most famous and admired dogwood varieties is the White Princess Dogwood. This elegant tree showcases its enchanting beauty in spring when its branches become a canvas for large, pristine white blossoms. These blossoms are modified leaves known as bracts surrounding tiny, inconspicuous flowers. The sight of a White Princess Dogwood in full bloom is breathtaking, resembling a living work of art. To fully appreciate the beauty of White Princess Dogwood in spring, consider these tips:

  • Plant in the Right Spot: Ensure your White Princess Dogwood is planted in a well-drained, partially shaded area. Morning sunlight is ideal, as it enhances the brilliance of the white blossoms without subjecting the tree to harsh afternoon heat.
  • Complement with Understory Plants: Underplanting with ground covers and perennials can create a stunning backdrop for the dogwood's white blossoms, enhancing their visual impact.
  • Prune Sparingly: Minimal pruning in early spring is recommended to maintain the tree's natural shape and encourage vigorous flowering.

Summer: Foliage and Elegance

The focus shifts from blossoms to foliage as summer arrives, and the White Princess Dogwood doesn't disappoint. Its leaves are vibrant green, creating a lush and inviting canopy. The transition from spring to summer is when the tree truly displays its graceful, rounded shape. In addition to the White Princess, the Cherokee Chief Dogwood is another captivating variety that graces gardens across the United States. In summer, this dogwood's striking red foliage takes center stage. The contrast between the deep green of surrounding trees and the rich red of the Cherokee Chief's leaves is genuinely remarkable. To appreciate the beauty of dogwoods like the Cherokee Chief in summer:

Provide Adequate Water: Dogwoods appreciate consistent moisture, especially during hot summer months. To help retain moisture, mulch around the base of the tree.

Prune to Maintain Shape: Regular pruning should focus on maintaining the tree's structure and removing dead or diseased branches.

Fall: A Fiery Display of Color

As autumn arrives, dogwood trees undergo another transformation. The rich green leaves of summer gradually shift to vibrant red, burgundy, and purple hues. This fiery display of color is a sight to behold and adds a captivating dimension to any landscape. The Cherokee Chief Dogwood shines in the fall as its foliage deepens into a dramatic, eye-catching red. Its brilliant color makes it a standout tree in any autumn garden. To fully appreciate the beauty of dogwoods in fall:

  • Plant for Fall Color: When choosing a dogwood variety, consider the colors it offers in the fall. The Cherokee Chief is an excellent choice for those seeking bold, red foliage.
  • Prepare for Winter: As fall progresses, take the time to prepare your dogwood for winter. Mulch around the base to protect its roots from freezing temperatures, and consider wrapping the trunk with tree wrap to prevent winter damage.

Winter: An Elegant Silhouette

When winter arrives, and the landscape is stripped of its vibrant colors, dogwood trees continue to enchant with their elegant silhouettes. The absence of leaves reveals the tree's branching structure, which can be incredibly captivating when dusted with snow. One of winter's most resilient and stunning dogwood varieties is the Kousa Dogwood (Cornus kousa). This variety is known for its exceptional cold tolerance and ability to thrive in colder regions. In winter, the Kousa Dogwood's unique exfoliating bark adds visual interest, and its small, spherical fruits persist, providing food for wildlife. To appreciate the beauty of dogwoods in winter:

  • Plan for Winter Interest: When designing your landscape, incorporate dogwood trees strategically to ensure they can be appreciated even in the stark beauty of winter.
  • Bird-Friendly Planting: Kousa Dogwoods, with their persistent fruits, provide a valuable food source for birds during winter. Consider planting them in proximity to bird feeders or birdbaths.

The four seasons of dogwood trees offer a year-round symphony of beauty. From the pristine blossoms of spring to the fiery foliage of autumn and the elegant silhouettes of winter, dogwood trees enrich our landscapes every season. Varieties like the White Princess, Cherokee Chief, and Kousa Dogwood each contribute their unique charm, making them beloved additions to nationwide gardens. Following the recommended tips for each season, you can ensure your dogwood trees thrive and continue to enchant with their ever-changing beauty.

Flowering Dogwood Trees - TN Nursery

Flowering Dogwood Trees

Flowering Dogwood Trees are hand-crafted and come in a variety of colors. They are one of Sprin's most glorious types, with delicate blooms and green foliage. TN Nursery offers the best prices on grafted dogwood trees, and we guarantee our plants for one full year. Flowering Dogwood Trees Are Highly Sought After  The Cherokee Brave is a fascinating and distinctive type known by its scientific name, Cornus florida 'Comco No. 1'. This particular ornamental type is highly sought after in horticulture thanks to its exceptional beauty. In the spring, the plant's large clusters of vibrant, deep pink to reddish blooms create a stunning contrast against its dark green foliage, making it a sight to behold. As a small deciduous type, it usually grows to 20-25 feet. It offers year-round visual interest with its attractive branching pattern and fall foliage, which displays shades of red. It is cherished for its aesthetic appeal, which makes it a popular choice for enthusiasts. Additionally, the plant holds cultural significance among Native American tribes like the Cherokee, where it embodies traits of resilience and natural elegance in garden landscapes. The White Princess type, scientifically known as Cornus florida 'White Princess,' is a breathtaking ornamental type that exudes enchanting elegance. Gracefully standing at 15-20 feet tall, this compact type boasts a profusion of creamy white blossoms in spring, arranged in clusters that create a magical spell of delicate allure. As the seasons progress, the leaves of this plant change to a vibrant red in autumn, adding another layer of visual interest to the plant. Whether you have a small garden or a large landscape, it is an excellent choice for adding year-round joy to your outdoor space and is sure to be the centerpiece of your garden.  Spring Grove type, scientifically known as Cornus 'Spring Grove,' is a stunning ornamental type cherished for its vibrant foliage and graceful form. This deciduous beauty typically reaches a height of 15-20 feet with a similar spread, making it ideal for small to medium-sized gardens. In spring, it flaunts clusters of creamy white flowers that contrast beautifully against its deep green leaves. As the seasons progress, the foliage transforms into rich shades of burgundy and purple in autumn, adding a striking display of color to the landscape. Its elegant structure and year-round visual interest make Spring Grove type a beloved gardener choice. The Super Princess type is a botanical masterpiece that amazes those who come across it. With its graceful branches extending upward towards the sky, it displays a magnificent crown of striking pink flowers that radiate with vibrant energy. Not only is this variety unique for its exceptional resilience, but it also possesses a natural elegance that captures the attention of all who behold it. Flowering Dogwood Trees' regal height and abundance of flowers make them a cherished centerpiece in gardens and parks worldwide. But beyond its ornamental value, the Super Princess carries cultural significance, symbolizing grace, strength, and enduring beauty.  The Pink Kousa, scientifically known as Cornus kousa var. chinensis 'Pink,' is stunning. Originating from East Asia, these ornamental types display breathtaking pink blossoms in late spring, creating a captivating spectacle for anyone who gazes upon them. The unique and delicate star-shaped flowers adorn the branches amidst the glossy green foliage and exude an unmatched ethereal charm. As the seasons progress, the blooms give way to raspberry-like fruits that add to their beauty and attract an array of wildlife, including birds. With their graceful form, vibrant hues, and exceptional beauty, these are more than just exquisite ornamentals. Flowering Dogwood Trees Has A Rich History The Chief Red is a magnificent and towering symbol of Cherokee heritage with a rich history and captivating legend. Its vibrant, crimson-hued leaves sway gently in the breeze as if dancing to the whispers of generations past, embodying the strength and resilience of the Cherokee people. According to the legend, Chief Red, a noble leader, had his spirit entwined with the earth upon his passing, giving rise to this magnificent type. For the Cherokee tribes, this plant is a site of great reverence and spiritual significance, serving as a sacred gathering place for ceremonies where stories of bravery and wisdom are shared, echoing through the rustling leaves. The magnificent Greensleeves Kousa is an ornamental type with beauty and elegance. They boast a lush canopy of green foliage and an abundance of stunning white blooms that charm any landscape. As a deciduous type, it can grow to an impressive height of 15 to 30 feet, providing a picturesque backdrop for any outdoor setting. In spring, their green flowers bloom and transform into a vibrant red fruit in autumn, which serves as a natural food source for birds and other wildlife. With its moderate growth rate, these can thrive in various soil types and prefer partial shade to total sun exposure.  Flowering Dogwood Trees Are Highly Prized  The Rubra Red, scientifically known as Cornus florida 'Rubra,' is a stunning ornamental tree highly prized for its vibrant spring display of pink to red flowers. These beautiful blossoms stand out against the backdrop of its dark green foliage, creating a picturesque scene in gardens and landscapes. As the seasons progress, the Flowering Dogwood Trees' foliage transitions to shades of red and purple in the fall, adding another dimension of beauty to its appearance. This compact, deciduous type typically reaches a height of 15-30 feet, making it ideal for smaller gardens or more significant landscapes. Its beauty and adaptability make it a favorite among gardeners.

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White Dogwood Tree

White Dogwood Tree

The White Dogwood Tree is a beautiful, small deciduous tree native to eastern North America. It is admired for its elegant, four-petaled snowy or pinkish-snowy flowers and distinctive branching pattern, often seen in spring gardens and landscapes. The White Dogwood Tree grows between 15 and 25 feet tall and has a magnificent spread of 20 to 25 feet. It grows at about 1 or 2 feet per year and usually blooms between the ages of 5 and 7.   The Bracts Of the White Dogwood Tree Although the brilliant snowy blooms look like flowers, they're a particular form of leaf called bracts. Bracts look like petals and surround the actual flowers, which occupy the same space in the center of the bracts that the stamina does in a regular flower. The effect is breathtaking during the late spring and early summer when the snowy, petal-like bracts scintillate in the sunshine. The central flowers can be either yellow, snowy, or pink, and the multicolored effect is dazzling. The Leaves Of The White Dogwood Tree The regular leaves of this plant are bright green ovals that are a lighter green on the bottom. The leaves get lighter overall as the year progresses, being nearly pastel by the time they fall off during the autumn. The slow morphing of the leaves' color is one of the charming qualities of this plant, which can be a perfectly balanced focal point in any garden.  The Berries Of White Dogwood Tree Berries form during the late summer, and the bracts gradually darken to purple as the season turns to fall. This plant is a shining example of a time-lapse color change. At the same time, this plant produces red and snowy drupes, a specific kind of berry made up of clumps of smaller items called carpels. This gives both sorts of berries a pleasing, distinctive appearance on stems about 3 inches long.  In addition to the more common species of pollinators, such as honey bees and butterflies, this White Dogwood Tree supports a specific species of andrena mining bee that only gets its pollen from them. Additionally, when they fall off, both the bracts and the leaves break down very quickly, making this gorgeous plant suitable for the soil of the whole garden. These plants will also help gardeners stave off soil erosion, so it's a good-looking plant that'll be a terrific focal point and a hardy sentry that protects the garden's soil.

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Red Flowering Dogwood - TN Nursery

Red Flowering Dogwood

Red Flowering Dogwood is a fiery rose blooming favorite and an ornamental tree with numerous landscaping benefits. It brings a range of advantages that contribute to the overall appeal and ecological health of the surrounding environment. Red Flowering Dogwood, also known as Cornus florida var. rubra, is a vibrantly colored species that stands apart from most other trees. If you plant one in your yard, you'll enjoy its eye-catching colors from spring through fall. The Intense Colors Of Red Flowering Dogwood These trees delight those who want to experience fall-like colors throughout the growing season! When spring arrives, they're covered in bright rose flowers that could make you swear it's already fallen. Don't worry, though, because these trees also transform into a reddish-purple color to celebrate autumn's arrival.  The brightly colored flowers will undoubtedly catch everyone's attention, but they're not the end of the show! Shortly after the flowers appear, there will also be reddish leaves that eventually turn into a classic green color. However, there's still one more trick left in these oval-shaped leaves, as they will transform again for the fall season. Crimson is the best word to describe how these leaves end their lifecycle, giving you a brilliant display of color. The Berries Of Red Flowering Dogwood The leaves will eventually fall to the ground during the fall season, but this tree still isn't fully revealing itself. Fall time is when the berries come into the picture, and they'll keep the rose-red around for a little longer. If you enjoy looking at birds, you'll want to invest in at least one of these trees, as wildlife of all types will flock to its berries. The Bark Of The Red Flowering Dogwood The bark of these trees is yet another thing that helps set it apart. Made of a unique and attractive light gray color, the bark will be pretty smooth and delicate during the early years of its life. Once it begins to age, you'll notice a scale-like texture appearing. Although this may remove its former smoothness, it adds another compellingly beautiful aspect to these relatively short trees. Regarding their height, Red Flowering Dogwood will only reach 20-30 feet, making it ideal for planting around your home. Give yourself and your entire neighborhood a tree to capture everyone's attention.

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Kousa Dogwood - TN Nursery

Kousa Dogwood

The Kousa Dogwood is a medium-sized flowering tree renowned for its showy, star-shaped, white to pinkish flowers, distinctive exfoliating bark, and striking red fruits. These characteristics make it a popular choice in ornamental landscaping.  The small specimen tree blooms with green leaves that turn orange in the fall, topped by four-petaled white flowers. The white flowers typically bloom in the late spring, providing visual appeal throughout summer. Small raspberry-like fruits develop once the flowering is complete, attracting beneficial wildlife. As the fruits mature, they change colors from green to pinkish-red. This dogwood is perfect for landscapers who prefer variety as the seasons change. Kousa Dogwood Tree Offers Year-round Visual Appeal Kousa Dogwood adds an appealing aesthetic to any landscape that persists during all four seasons. Its horizontal branching pattern creates an architectural interest that remains even during winter when the tree is empty of leaves. During the growing season, the leaves that sprout are dense and glossy, providing a lush and verdant backdrop. Fall is the most colorful season for the tree, as its foliage turns various shades of red, orange, and purple. The tree stands out in winter for its unique bark and structure. Kousa Dogwood Has Exquisite Fall Foliage As mentioned, fall is when this tree truly shines aesthetically, turning into a dazzling display of brilliant colors. The red, orange, and purple highlights contrast the green backdrop of the surrounding scenery. It is striking enough to serve as the focal point of a landscape, but it can also blend seamlessly as part of a mixed planting scenario. It's a top choice for landscapers looking to add a seasonal interest in the fall and enhance the visual appeal of their foliage. Kousa Dogwood Can Adapt To Many Soil Types  One of Kousa Dogwood's best features is its adaptability. It can be set out in many soil types, including clay and loam. Its moderate growth rate makes it well-suited for use as a specimen tree or as a naturalizing element in more significant landscapes. Still, it's also small enough to serve as the focal point for an urban or suburban garden where space might be limited.

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