Dogwood Tree Care

Dogwoods are deciduous woody plants that belong to the genus Cornus, which contains almost 30 to 50 species of shrubs and trees. Some of them are perennial, while others are evergreen trees. Dogwood trees, especially the flowering dogwoods are the favorite ornamental plants for landscaping and gardening, because of their unique branching structure and exotic blooms, the color of which vary from red, pink, yellow to white. Know more about landscaping.

How to Care for Dogwood Trees
As has been already mentioned, there are several species of dogwood trees out which a select few are preferred by all for gardening and landscaping purposes. These species include flowering dogwood tree, kousa dogwood, pagoda dogwood, red twig dogwood, pink dogwood, yellow twig dogwood, ivory halo dogwood, variegated dogwood and white flowering dogwood. In general, dogwood trees require well drained soil rich in organic matter to grow properly. Places partially exposed to the sun are a better option for growing dogwood trees than a place exposed to direct sunlight for the entire day. Regular watering, pruning and fertilization are some other essentials for dogwood tree care and maintenance. Here is a brief discussion about how to care for different species of dogwood shrubs and trees.

Flowering Dogwood Tree Care
Flowering dogwood requires a shady and moist place and nutrient rich soil to thrive properly. Therefore, all places are not suitable for growing flowering dogwood trees. Though they can be grown in the sun, it is better to opt for a partially shaded area, so that they can perform better. This is why in their natural habitat, flowering dogwood plants are found in areas surrounded by larger trees. Besides this, growing them in full sun can expose them to dogwood borers. But, still, if you like to plant then in full sun, then make sure to water them frequently during hot conditions. As far as the soil type is concerned, a well drained and slightly acidic, humus rich soil is best for growing flowering dogwood trees.

Pink Dogwood Care
Pink flowering dogwood can be a really beautiful tree with delicate pink flowers. It grows well in moist, well-drained soil. It can adapt to any type of soil and climatic conditions. A partially shaded area is the best place for planting a pink dogwood. For the first two growing seasons, the tree would require a lot of water. So, make sure to water them regularly. Usually, twice a week watering is sufficient to keep the soil moist. Along with watering, maintain layers of mulch around it. It would help to retain soil moisture. But, avoid overuse of fertilizers, as it would hamper the normal growth.

White Dogwood Care
White flowering dogwood is an excellent dogwood tree for landscaping. It is cherished by all for its lovely creamy white blossoms that unfold in spring. An interesting fact about this tree is that it is drought resistant. It prefers partially shaded areas though it can also be grown in full sun. The soil should be moist, well-drained and slightly acidic to ensure proper growth. Watering should be done regularly during summer. In addition to watering, maintain mulch layers to retain soil moisture.

Kousa Dogwood Tree Care
Kousa dogwood is also known as Chinese dogwood and Japanese flowering dogwood. For proper kousa dogwood care or Chinese dogwood tree care, one should be very particular about watering, especially during summer. In this period, this tree would require a lot of water, otherwise lack of water can cause leaf curling. Sometimes, leaves can also become brown along the margin due to insufficient watering. However, unlike the flowering dogwoods, kousa dogwoods can be grown in alkaline soil as well. Tolerance to slightly salty and alkaline soil and resistance to several diseases makes Japanese dogwood care much easier as compared to the flowering dogwoods. Know more about dogwood trees, diseases and problems

Pagoda Dogwood Tree Care
Pagoda dogwood trees usually prefer slightly acidic and well-drained soil to grow, though some species can grow well even in slightly alkaline or neutral soil. They can be grown in both sun and shade, though most of them are found to grow better in sunlight. Next to soil and sunlight, drainage is very important for pagoda dogwoods. As far as fertilization is concerned, do it sparingly. Also water them regularly during summer and do not forget to maintain a layer of mulch, so that the soil remains moist and gets the essential nutrients.

Red Twig Dogwood Care
Red twig dogwood is a shrub with bright red stems, the color of which becomes more pronounced during the winter. Even the leaves turn red in the fall. Red twig dogwood generally blooms in the spring. The tree can be grown in any place, provided it gets adequate sunlight and water. The soil should be moist and rich in nutrients for growing red twig dogwood. This plant would require pruning to maintain a good shape, otherwise it can grow too large. As far as fertilization is concerned, do it occasionally and carefully to promote growth and blooming.

Yellow Twig Dogwood Care
Yellow twig dogwood is a medium-sized shrub that is famous for its striking yellow stems or twigs. The color becomes more prominent and the shrub more beautiful during winter. Yellow twig dogwoods are generally planted together with the red twig dogwoods to provide a good contrast. The foliage is green in color but turn yellow in fall. The shrubs prefer full sun to grow properly though they can also be grown in partial shade as well. But, if they are grown in full sun, their stems assume a brighter yellow color in winter. As far as the soil conditions are concerned, wet soil, rich in nutrients is ideal for growing yellow twig dogwood plants. Winter is the ideal time for pruning the shrubs and ensuring the growth of young brilliant yellow colored twigs.

Ivory Halo Dogwood Care
Ivory halo dogwood is characterized by variegated leaves which are soft green with creamy white edges. The twigs turn red during winter which makes this deciduous shrub more beautiful to behold. The clusters of small, yellow-white flowers appear in the late spring. Ivory halo dogwood is a rapidly growing shrub that can be grown in full sun to partial shade. The soil should be well-drained and moist and it is adaptable to a wide range of soil types. The plant would generally not require pruning as such, but the old stems can be removed in the spring to ensure the growth of new stems. This is done by many gardeners, as the young stems look more bright red in winter than the old stems.

Variegated Dogwood Care
Variegated dogwoods are characterized by variegated or multiple colored foliage, which is the main attraction of these shrubs. The common species of variegated dogwood is variegated red stem dogwood. The leaves are usually dark green, edged with creamy white color. To ensure best growth, these shrubs have to be grown in full sun to partial shade. The soil should be moist and well-drained.

Dogwood tree, in general is susceptible to various diseases, like, spot anthracnose, septoria leaf spot, dogwood anthracnose, etc., which may necessitate the use of fungicides. For this, one should consult an expert in this field to get a clear idea about how to use fungicides. To sum up, the various types of dogwood plants require some specific care and maintenance. But, these amazing trees and shrubs really deserve a little care for their captivating beauty. Hope this article about dogwood tree care may have helped you to get an idea of how to care for dogwood shrubs and trees, in order to enhance the look of your garden or landscape.