Dogwoods are frequently used as flowering specimen shrubs and trees in the landscape. Their wood is also popular in carving and other forms of woodworking.
How to Identify Dogwood Trees
You can identify a dogwood by looking for smooth-edged leaves with veins that curve parallel to the margins (edges). Flowers may or may not feature large bracts like those of the flowering dogwood (Cornus florida). After pollination, they produce a type of fruit known as a drupe. Many species have edible fruit, though not all taste good. They are also known for their opposite branching, a characteristic that can help identify the kind of dogwood tree you have. A few species, however, have leaves that alternate on the stems. While there are 17 types of dogwoods native to North America, the following 12 varieties are most commonly found.
Native Area: East Russia to Japan, Subarctic America to N. & Central U.SUSDA Growing Zones: 2 to 6Height: 6 to 12 inchesSun Exposure: Part shade
Native Area: Western Asia and EuropeUSDA Growing Zones: 4 to 7Height: 5 to 15 feet; some cultivars are dwarfSun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Native Area: Europe and western AsiaUSDA Growing Zones: 4 to 8Height: 20 to 25 feetSun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Native area: Eastern North America, Southeastern Canada, Eastern MexicoUSDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9Height: 15 to 25 feet tallSun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Native Area: Eastern Asia (Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan)USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 8Height: 20 to 30 feetSun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Native area: Central and Eastern North AmericaUSDA Growing Zones: 4 to 8Height: 10 to 27 feetSun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Like flowering dogwood, this plant is quite susceptible to dogwood anthracnose disease; check with local authorities before planting it, as it may be discouraged.
Native area: Western North America (British Columbia, California, Idaho, Oregon, Washington)USDA Growing Zones: 7 to 9 (for most cultivars)Height: Typically 30 to 40 feetSun Exposure: Best in part shade
izzzy71 / Getty Images
Native area: Eastern North AmericaUSDA Growing Zones: 3 to 7Height: 15 to 25 feet tallSun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
ElrondPeredhil / Getty Images
Native Area: North AmericaUSDA Growing Zones: 3 to 7Height: 6 to 9 feet (approximate)Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Native area: Eastern North AmericaUSDA Growing Zones: 5 to 8Height: 6 to 15 feetSun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Native area: East Central and the southeastern U.S.USDA Growing Zones: 6 to 10Height: 10 to 25 feetSun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Native Area: Arctic regions of Europe, Asia, and North AmericaUSDA Growing Zones: 2 Height: 2 to 9 inchesSun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Dogwoods are among the best trees and shrubs for providing year-round interest, but they perform their best when planted in moist, fertile soil and a location with dappled light. When conditions are not ideal, they can be susceptible to a large range of bacterial and fungal problems. Spot anthracnose, septoria leaf spot, and powdery mildew are all common conditions that may affect the leaves of dogwoods. Root rots and canker disease can occur when conditions are too moist. Scale insects and dogwood borers are the most common insect pests affecting dogwoods.
