Shade and Ornamental Trees: Cornus (Dogwood)

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Cornus alternifolia

Pagoda Dogwood is a small shrubby tree with spreading, horizontal branching habit. Wider than tall in maturity. Young stems are lustrous brown to purple eventually becoming grey and lightly ridged. Cornus alternifolia is the only dogwood (with C. controversa) with alternate foliage; leaves are whorled near branch tips. Flowers in cymes (flat clusters) are yellowish-white and very fragrant flowers, resembling the lacey Queen Anne's lace flowers, blooming in May to June. Fruit is blue-black (starts outs green , then reddish) and does not last long; however the fruit stalks remain and turn coral red. Does best in moist, acid, well drained soils and likes partial shade. A tree for all seasons!!

Cornus x 'Aurora'

Cornus x 'Celestial'

Rutgers Hybrids/Stellar series are the result of crossing Cornus kousa x Cornus florida (Cornus x rutgersensis) by Dr. Elwin Orton of the Rutgers University in a very succesful attempt to improve the reputation of Dogwoods. These (6) hybrids are more vigorous and more resistant to borers and disease than the older (parent) varieties. Celestial ('Rutdan') is not vase-shaped like young C. kousa, it has a dense, upright form with a more uniform width. Flowers after Ruth Ellen (5 days) with green-tinged bracts that form a small cup which later flattens and becomes pure white, before maturing with a pink tone. Base of bract is broadly tapered and "flowers" rarely overlap. Resistant to Dogwood anthracnose, borer and powdery mildew.

Cornus controversa 'June Snow'

The June Snow Dogwood is a fast growing and wide spreading tree. It grows to have a horizontally layered appearance. When flowering large flat topped clusters of pure white flowers bloom, often exceeding 6" in diameter.

Cornus capitata 'Mountain Moon'

This evergreen Mountain Moon Dogwood is originally from the mountains of Bhutan China. A specimen tree that with a sheltered spot in the garden or arboretum will reward with masses of large white bracts through spring followed by showy red fruit.

Cornus x 'Celestial Shadow'

Celestial Shadow is a variegated mutation of Cornus x 'Celestial, found by none other than plantsman Don Shadow! Rare! Beautiful yellow and green variegated leaves, with added pinkish-red tones in late summer, turn a spectacular combination of red and orange in fall. Large white bracts ("flowers") are approximately 7cm in diameter. See also: Cornus x 'Celestial'

Cornus florida 'Cloud 9'

Cloud 9 Dogwood is a slow grower with spreading, horizontal branching. A profuse bloomer; showy overlapping flower bracts appear at an early age followed by red fruit and bright orange to scarlet fall colours. Cold hardy and resistant to canker. One of the best selections available.

Cornus x 'Hyperion'

A recent Rutger hybrid selction (C. kousa x C. florida) with flowers seeming to cover the entire tree and producing attractive red strawberry-like fruit, favoured by birds and followed by a fall foliage colour display of yellow, orange and purple. A vigorous grower. Drought tolerant and disease resistant (powdery mildew and anthracnose)

Cornus kousa var. chinensis

Chinese Kousa Dogwood. This variety of kousa differs from the species in that the flowers are larger and branches are finer and denser. In June, a profusion of "star"-shaped flowers appear made up of 4 large bracts, starting out with a greenish tinge before changing to white followed by showy red fruit in fall.

Cornus kousa 'Samaritan'

Samaritan Dogwood is a hardy and vigorous new Chinese dogwood selection with variegated foliage; cream/white wavy margins & green center. White flower bracts followed by red fruits. The fall foliage colour is reddish-purple with pink tones. Samaritan is similar to, but more upright than Cornus kousa Wolf Eyes. This selection is more cold & heat tolerant.

Cornus kousa 'Gold Star'

Gold Star Dogwood is a slower growing variegated form of Chinese Dogwood. Each leaf has a broad gold band down its centre and somewhat reddish stems. White flowers and red fruit typical of Dogwoods.

Cornus kousa 'National'

National is a vigorous, vase-shaped Chinese Dogwood with large creamy-white bracts emerging 2-3 weeks later than C. florida selections. Fruit is larger than normal - 3cm+ wide! Its green foliage turns to purple-red to scarlet in fall.

Cornus kousa

Kousa or Chinese Dogwood is a small tree that is vase-shaped in youth and becomes more rounded with horizontal branching (tiers) with age. Blooms in early June; about 2-3 weeks after C. florida. Upright held "flowers" have pointed bract tips (C. florida has rounded tips) and stay on the tree for a lengthy blooming time (6 weeks). Red, round, raspberry fruit is held on long pendulous stems from late August to October. Considered by many to be more cold hardy and drought resistant than C. florida and is generally more disease resistant than C. florida and C. nuttalii.

Cornus x 'Ruth Ellen'

Rutgers Hybrids/Stellar series are the result of crossing Cornus kousa x Cornus florida (Cornus x rutgersensis) by Dr. Elwin Orton of the Rutgers University in a very succesful attempt to improve the reputation of Dogwoods. These (6) hybrids are more vigorous and more resistant to borers and disease than the older (parent) varieties. Ruth Ellen ('Rutlan') resembles C. florida the most of the Stellar hybrids, with a dense (usually multi-stemmed) and low branched habit (Oriental, tiered appearance). Covered in spring with brilliant white large "flowers" (4 bracts) that are well-spaced on the tree, not overlapping. Green foliage can be yellow-tipped and turn plum purple in fall. Peeling gray bark and red branches complete the four-season interest for the winter season! Foliage smaller than that of C. kousa, maybe even more like our native dogwood (C. nuttallii) Resistant to anthracnose and borer.

Cornus kousa 'Radiant Rose'

Radiant Rose is a new dogwood selection with reddish new growth, reddish tinted stems and radiant pink flowers. Rich red fall colour. This selection may even be a little more cold hardy than Satomi, with somewhat larger leaves.

Cornus kousa 'Satomi'

Satomi or Pink Flowering Kousa Dogwood is an exceptional new variety of Dogwood with a strong (upright) vase shape in youth, aging to a more rounded (horizontal) habit. Flower bract colour is variable and often first opens white, changing to various shades of deep pink or almost pure red, fading to a washed out, light pink. The centre of the "flower" is a creamy yellow (true flowers). Flowers later than most other varieties. Foliage is deep green with a touch of maroon and fall colour is crimson-purple with colour being more intense in cooler locations. Good disease resistance makes this a good sub for Cornus florida 'Rubra'.

Cornus x 'Starlight'

Starlight is a new Rutgers hybrid (kousa x nuttallii) with beautiful creamy white bracts (10cm+diam) and dark green foliage on an upright, oval tree. Crimson fruit and dark red fall foliage; peeling grey bark. Promising new cultivar shows resistance to mildew and anthracnose keeping foliage healthy and dark green all through summer.

Cornus kousa 'Summer Gold'

Summer Gold Dogwood is a new introduction from Crispin Silva with gold variegated foliage showing a broad golden leaf margin which first turns pink in fall, before the entire leaf turns red. Upright, dense habit compared to other gold-variegated forms having a more spreading, weeping habit. Foliage not wavy like Wolf Eyes.

Cornus kousa 'Wolf Eyes'

Wolf Eyes Dogwood is a white flowering sport of Cornus kousa chinensis. The striking and strongly variegated twisted and rolled foliage is creamy white with a green centre. Edges become pink and red in fall. Small red fruit loved by birds. Resistant to powdery mildew.

Cornus mas

Cornelian Cherry Dogwood is a small tree or multi-stemmed bush with rounded crown. Flowers early in March with a profusion of small yellow blossoms. Oval, dark green leaves may turn purplish-red in the fall (not reliable). Fruit is bright cherry-red, shaped like an olive, ripening in summer and enjoyed by the birds. Suitable for human consumption when ripe, if you can beat the birds to them! Exfoliating gray and tan bark.

Cornus mas 'Golden Glory'

Golden Glory Cornelian Cherry Dogwood is more upright and uniform than the species, round to oval multi-stemmed shrub (can be trained as a single-stem tree). Lots of tiny star shaped golden yellow flowers, in clusters on bare wood, steal the show in late winter/early spring. Small cherry-red fruit in summer, although hidden by foliage is appreciated by birds. Exfoliating mature bark.

Cornus mas 'Variegata'

Variegated Cornelian Cherry Dogwood is a small tree or large shrub with small green leaves edged irregularly in creamy white. Flowers yellow in early spring followed by cherry-red fruit. Grows best in part shade to prevent leaf burn. Fall leaf colour is burgundy-red.

Cornus nuttallii 'Eddie's White Wonder'

Eddie's White Wonder Pacific Dogwood is a hybrid of our native Cornus nuttallii and Cornus florida. An upright, pyramidal tree with semi-pendulous branches. Flowers are larger and tree is taller than C. florida, also more adaptable and easier to grow than C. nuttallii. Produces masses of large, long-lasting, white flowers up to 12cm across. Beautiful red fall colour. Takes longer to fill out as a tree but is well worth the wait. Discovered in Vancouver. Showing Resistance to anthracnose.

Cornus 'Rosy Teacups'

Commonly known as the 'Rosy Teacups Dogwood' this kousa nutallii is covered in striking pinkish-red flowers. The tree has green foliage and is well-branched as well as hardy and disease resistant.

Cornus x 'Stellar Pink'

Rutgers Hybrids/Stellar series are the result of crossing Cornus kousa x Cornus florida (Cornus x rutgersensis) by Dr. Elwin Orton of the Rutgers University in a very succesful attempt to improve the reputation of Dogwoods. These (6) hybrids are more vigorous and more resistant to borers and disease than the older (parent) varieties. Stellar Pink ('Rutgan') is a very vigorous selection, upright, low branching with uniform width. Rounded, overlapping pink flower bracts. Showy, but not a strong pink for warmer locations as it fades in heat (not here in Vancouvers spring!!). Dark green leaves turn an attractive purple-red in fall.

Cornus x 'Venus'

Venus Dogwood is a new introduction from Dr. E. Orton, Rutgers University and is a cross between (C. kousa and C. nuttalli) x C. kousa. Covered in masses of huge, 15cm white blooms, the biggest blooms of any dogwood. Expected tree size to be comparable to Celestial and Aurora. Disease resistant. Resistant to powdery mildew and anthracnose.