Flowers of the Dogwood Tree

Types of Dogwood

• There are 40 varieties of the dogwood tree and flower. Only 15 of the 40 varieties can be found in North America. The mid-Atlantic and southern United States are home to the American dogwood species. The tree and flower has been called the false boxwood, nature's mistake, the spindle tree and the bird cherry. The flowering dogwood, one of the most popular dogwood plants, is scientifically called the Cornus florida of the Cornaceae family.

Characteristics of Dogwood Flowers

• Flowering dogwood trees are small in size, usually only 30 to 40 feet in height. The leaves of the dogwood are dark green, sometimes fuzzy, with pointy tips and light green undersides. The flowers are small and have four white bracts that sometimes take on a pink or scarlet tint. The drupe-like fruit is scarlet colored, glossy and usually about 1/2 inch long. Its bark is rough, light grayish brown and almost pebbly in texture and appearance.

Planting and Gardening Dogwoods

• Dogwoods tend to grow wild and in large numbers. Their natural habitat is widespread, from drier upland soil to lower land, moist soil near riverbeds and lakes. Because dogwood trees have shallow roots, it is usually difficult to replant wild trees, largely because the roots are not deep enough to draw in adequate moisture for the tree. Dogwood flowers are short-lived and are replaced by the red fruits that serve as food to many forest animals, such as squirrels and birds.

State Flowers

• The flowering dogwood has served as the state flower and the state tree of Virginia since 1918. Virginia is the only state to have the same official state tree as its official state flower. On March 15, 1941, North Carolina elected the flowering dogwood as its state flower. It is also Missouri's state tree and has been since June 20, 1955.