Flowering dogwood trees

The flowering dogwood trees are classified in the genus Cornus. There are several species, the most popular being Cornus kousa, the Chinese dogwood, and the earlier-flowering Cornus florida, the American dogwood.

The appearance of the spring blossom in many of the flowering dogwoods is somewhat unusual. The flowers are quite small, but surrounded by (usually 4) large bracts which have the appearance of large petals. The blossom is usually quite long lasting and is the main feature of many of these trees. However some forms also have attractive autumn leaf colours too.

Although primarily ornamental trees, many dogwoods produce small edible fruitlets.

Most dogwoods are small trees, very hardy, and tolerant of most situations. They do not mind some shade and in the wild are often found growing under other larger trees.

• Cornus florida
  Cherokee Daybreak

  An upright spreading form of the American dogwood, with white blossom and variegated leaves.

• Cornus florida
  Cherokee Princess

  Cherokee Princess is an American flowering dogwood, noted for its large white flower clusters.

• Cornus mas
  Cornelian cherry

  An unusual tree, with small yellow flowers in mid-winter, red fruitlets in summer, and tinted autumn foliage.

• Best seller

  Cornus kousa chinensis

  This is the Chinese Dogwood, and features a mass of large white blossom, followed by attractive autumn leaf colours.

• Cornus kousa
  White Fountain

  This flowering dogwood is characterised by its large white bracts, and attractive red autumn leaf colours.