Flowering Dogwood

Cornus florida

The classic understory tree of the eastern woods, with white spring bracts and crimson fall leaves.

the Northeastthe Mid-Atlanticthe Southeastthe Midwestthe South-Central region

Growing Flowering Dogwood

Happiest in dappled light at a woodland edge, in rich, well-drained soil. The fall berries are high-fat fuel for migrating songbirds. It’s showy, and good fall color.

Where it grows

Flowering Dogwood is native to the Northeast. In the wild you’ll find it across Alabama · Arkansas · Connecticut · Delaware · Florida · Georgia · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kentucky and 24 more states. Always confirm it suits your specific county with your state native plant society before planting.

Regional Garden shows Flowering Dogwood on 34 state pages.

Good for

Pollinators For bees Butterflies For birds For shade Fall color

Sourcing

Where to buy Flowering Dogwood

Seeds & live plants on Amazon

Seed packets, plugs, and starter plants for many of these species ship to your door.

Browse on Amazon

Some links here are affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The surest source of locally-adapted stock is a native-plant nursery or a native plant society sale in your area.

Plant it with

Companions & kin.

Natives that share Flowering Dogwood’s range and conditions.

Small tree

Serviceberry

Amelanchier canadensis

A small four-season tree: white spring flowers, June berries for the birds, and fiery fall color.

Full–part sun
Average–wet
15–25 ft
Blooms Apr–May

Shrub

American Elderberry

Sambucus canadensis

Big lacy flower heads in summer give way to purple-black berries for both birds and your kitchen.

Full–part sun
Average–wet
6–12 ft
Blooms Jun–Jul

Small tree

Eastern Redbud

Cercis canadensis

Bare branches erupt in rose-magenta in early spring — and the flowers feed the season's first bees.

Full–part sun
Dry–average
20–30 ft
Blooms Mar–Apr

Shrub

Arrowwood Viburnum

Viburnum dentatum

A bulletproof hedge shrub with white spring flowers, blue fall berries, and burgundy autumn leaves.

Sun to shade
Average–wet
6–10 ft
Blooms May–Jun