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White Flowering Dogwood

Cornus florida

Nature Hills Nursery
  • Native to Eastern North America: Zones 5-9 hardy, attracts pollinators, state tree of VA, NC, MO
  • Reliable Growth: Reaches 15-25 feet tall in 7-10 years, growing 1-2 feet annually
  • Non-Invasive Roots: Safe to plant near foundations, patios, driveways without heaving or damage concerns
  • Early Spring Blooms: White flowering dogwood displays clouds of white bracts in April-May before leaves
  • Disease-Resistant Options: Choose anthracnose-resistant varieties like Appalachian Spring for long-term garden success
$4988
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Plant Size

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

  • Sunlight: These trees thrive in full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight. While they handle full sun well in cooler climates, providing afternoon shade in hotter regions helps prevent leaf scorch and keeps the foliage looking crisp.
  • Soil: Aim for rich, well-drained, and slightly acidic soil that holds moisture without becoming soggy. If you are dealing with heavy clay, plant your Dogwood in a slight mound to ensure the roots stay above the "bathtub effect" where water collects and causes rot.

Watering Requirements

During the first two years of establishment, give your Dogwood about one inch of water per week to help the root system take hold. Once mature, these trees are moderately drought-tolerant, but inconsistent moisture often leads to smaller bracts and premature leaf drop. Think of the soil like a wrung-out sponge; it should stay consistently damp but never saturated to avoid stressing the tree.

Pruning Tips

White Flowering Dogwoods bloom on old wood, so the best time to prune is in late winter or very early spring before the flower buds begin to swell. Focus on removing dead, damaged, or crossing branches to open up the canopy for better air circulation, which prevents mildew. Think of it like a light thinning rather than a heavy haircut to maintain the tree's natural, horizontal branching habit.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer or a formula designed for acid-loving plants in early spring just as new growth appears. Avoid using high-nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer or fall because this encourages tender new growth that cannot harden off before the first frost. This ensures the tree focuses its energy on developing strong flower buds for the following spring rather than vulnerable green leaves.

Delivery and Shipping

Preorder Shipping Schedule

We ship your plants when it's safe to transport them to your zone. Dates are estimated and subject to weather delays.

Zone 3-4 Week of March 30th
Zone 5 Week of March 16th
Zone 6-12 Week of March 2nd


Shipping Rates

Ships in 3-4 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50 $9.99
$50 - $99.99 $14.99
$100 - $149.99 $16.99
$150 - $198.99 $24.99
$199+ FREE

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Every spring, your White Flowering Dogwood becomes the star of the neighborhood when clouds of white bracts appear before a single leaf unfolds. This native flowering dogwood tree (Cornus florida) delivers what gardeners really want: easy care, four seasons of interest, and the kind of natural elegance that makes your yard feel like a woodland retreat right outside your door.

White dogwood trees grow at a moderate pace of 1-2 feet per year, reaching a mature size of 15-25 feet tall with an equally graceful 20-25 foot spread. You'll see blooms within the first few years, and by year seven, you're looking at a fully mature specimen providing real privacy and shade. The root system stays polite and non-invasive, so you can plant your American dogwood tree closer to patios, foundations, and walkways without worry.

Hardiness across Zones 5-9 makes this tree adaptable to most regions. Give it morning sun and afternoon shade, especially if you're gardening in Zone 8-9 where summer heat can stress the foliage. Northern gardeners in Zones 5-6 can provide more sun. The tree thrives in slightly acidic, well-drained soil but adjusts to most garden conditions without fuss.

After the April-May bloom show wraps up, glossy green leaves provide a cooling canopy through summer. Come fall, foliage shifts to burgundy and wine-red tones while bright red berries feed migrating songbirds. Even winter brings interest as the distinctive horizontal branching pattern creates architectural lines against snow or evergreens.

Use your white flowering dogwood as a front yard focal point where neighbors can enjoy the spring display, or layer several as an understory planting beneath taller oaks and pines to recreate that native woodland edge. The moderate height works perfectly for framing entryways or anchoring corner beds where you need vertical interest without blocking windows. As a Virginia, North Carolina, and Missouri state tree, this one carries a sense of place wherever you plant it.

Your landscape deserves a tree that delivers year-round beauty without demanding constant attention. This one does exactly that.

Growing Zones 5-9

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are dogwood trees messy?
  • White Flowering Dogwoods are relatively clean trees with non-invasive root systems that won't crack walkways or foundations. The main seasonal cleanup involves fallen berries in fall after birds finish feeding, plus normal leaf drop. Plant yours away from high-traffic areas if berry cleanup concerns you.

What planting zones is the White Flowering Dogwood hardy in?
  • White Flowering Dogwood thrives in USDA Zones 5-9, making it adaptable to most regions. In northern zones 5-6, it can handle more sun, while southern zones 8-9 need afternoon shade protection. Shop at Nature Hills for this versatile native tree.

What is the size at maturity for White Flowering Dogwood trees?
  • White Flowering Dogwood trees reach 15-25 feet tall with a 20-25 foot spread at maturity. They grow at a moderate pace of 1-2 feet per year and become fully mature specimens by year seven. Plan for adequate spacing to accommodate their graceful, wide canopy.

Does White Flowering Dogwood grow well in my USDA hardiness zone (e.g., zone 5 or 8)?
  • White Flowering Dogwood thrives in USDA zones 5-9, making it adaptable to most regions. In zones 8-9, plant it where it gets morning sun and afternoon shade to protect from summer heat stress. Northern gardeners in zones 5-6 can provide more sun exposure.

What are the care requirements for watering White Flowering Dogwood, especially for shallow roots?
  • White Flowering Dogwood's shallow roots need consistent moisture without waterlogging, especially during establishment. Water deeply once or twice weekly rather than frequent shallow watering, and maintain 2-3 inches of mulch to retain soil moisture and protect the root zone.

How much sun or shade does White Flowering Dogwood need for best growth?
  • White Flowering Dogwood prefers morning sun with afternoon shade, especially in warmer Zones 8-9 where summer heat can stress the foliage. Northern gardeners in Zones 5-6 can provide more direct sunlight. Plant where it gets 4-6 hours of morning sun, then filtered shade during hot afternoons.

What type of soil (e.g., acidic, well-drained) is required for White Flowering Dogwood?
  • White Flowering Dogwood prefers slightly acidic, well-drained soil but adapts to most garden conditions without fuss. This native tree is remarkably tolerant once established. Focus on ensuring good drainage rather than perfect soil composition.

Is this White Flowering Dogwood disease-resistant, like against anthracnose or powdery mildew?
  • White Flowering Dogwood can be susceptible to anthracnose and powdery mildew, especially in humid conditions or poor air circulation. Proper siting with morning sun and afternoon shade (particularly in Zones 8-9) helps reduce disease pressure. Plant in well-drained soil and avoid overhead watering to keep foliage dry.

What fertilizer and pruning does White Flowering Dogwood need?
  • White Flowering Dogwood needs minimal fertilizing - just annual spring compost or balanced fertilizer in poor soils. Prune only dead or crossing branches in late fall after berries drop, as this tree naturally develops its graceful horizontal form. Avoid heavy pruning since dogwoods are slow healers.

How is the White Flowering Dogwood shipped, and what is the packaging like?
  • White flowering dogwood trees ship bare root or in containers depending on season and size. The packaging protects the root system during transit while keeping the tree dormant. Plant immediately upon arrival, or keep the roots moist and store in a cool, shaded area until planting.
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