Daylily Paradise

Tree Caring and Planting Information

Dogwoods (Cornus Florida)

Chinese Dogwood	Pink Dogwood	Red Dogwood	White Dogwood
"Kousa chinensis"	"Rubra"	"Cherokee Chief"	"Cherokee Princess"

All of our bare-root trees are shipped to you via the United States Priority Mail. The roots of all the trees will be wrapped in damp shredded paper to insure freshness. The trees are then placed in a plastic tube within a cardboard strong box for shipping. The tops of some trees have been intentionally cut back to encourage branching and to help the tree survive the transplant. All bare-root trees will need planted as quickly as possible. Even if it is still cold outside, plant your tree shortly after it arrives and water thoroughly and frequently. Dig a hole approximately twice the size of the tree's root. Fill the bottom half of the hole with topsoil and plant the tree in the top half with the base of the tree at the soil line or just below. Fill in the rest of the hole with topsoil and slightly tamp the soil around the tree. Mulch your tree with 2" of shredded hardwood bark to insulate the roots and prevent water from evaporating around the tree. Your newly transplanted tree will need a lot of care the first year. It is not uncommon for a newly planted tree to die back a little or even loose its first set of leaves the first year. Do not fertilize your tree the first year, but do give it plenty of water. Once your tree is established (after the first year), it will require little care.

Dogwood trees are grown for their gorgeous white, pink or red flowers that cover the entire tree in mid to late spring. Their dark green leaves turn bright red in autumn. The white, pink and red dogwoods have clusters of red fall berries that last after the leaves have fallen. A Chinese dogwood has plump red berries the size of a marble that also lasts after the leaves have fallen. The Chinese dogwood has creamy white flower and the tree is vase shaped reaching a mature height of 20' - 30'. The white dogwood can also reach a mature height of 20' - 30', while the pink and red dogwood can reach a mature height of 15'- 20'. The pink and red dogwoods are grafted. The white and Chinese dogwoods are on their own rootstock. Prune out the oldest branches every fall to encourage new growth. These trees like acidic and wet soil, and prefer partial to full sun. Mulch to keep moist and cool. These deciduous trees are hardy between zones 4-9.

Return To The "Daylily Paradise" HOME Page!