White Flowering Dogwood

Cornus florida

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 $56⁸⁸

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Find your Growing Zone

Plant Size

#1 Container 3-4 ft #3 Container 4-5 ft

Product variants

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Understanding Plant Options

Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:

Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements

Container Plant Sizes

Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.

Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
2" x 2" x 3"	0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts	0.20 - 0.23 dry liters
4" Container	0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts	0.35 - 0.96 dry liters
4.5" Container	0.65 dry quarts	0.72 dry liters
6" Container	1.4 dry quarts	1.59 dry liters
1 Quart	1 dry quart	1.1 dry liters
5.5" Container	1.89 dry quarts	2.08 dry liters

Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
2 Quart	2 dry quarts	2.2 dry liters
#1 Container	2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts	2.49 - 4.11 dry liters
5" x 5" x 12"	3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts	3.85 - 4.74 dry liters

Mature Plants (2-4 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
#2 Container	1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons	5.24 - 7.75 dry liters
#3 Container	2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons	8.14 - 12.16 dry liters

Large Plants (3-5 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
#5 Container	2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons	12.86 - 20.35 dry liters
#6 Container	5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons	23.12 - 26.42 dry liters
#7 Container	5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons	26.34 - 28.76 dry liters

Bare Root Plants

Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.

Common Sizes:

Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet

Important Notes

Container Volume Specifications

Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents

Growing Conditions

Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment

Seasonal Availability

Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
Container plants are available throughout the growing season
Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes

Questions?

For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.

Plant Profile & Growing Essentials

Cold hardy, Native, Flowering, Fall Color/Interest, Ornamental Berries/Fruit, Thornless, Attracts pollinators, Fragrant, Drought resistant, Evergreen, Fast-growing, Groundcover, and Self-pollinating

Specifications

Botanical Name

Cornus florida
Height

15-30 ft
Width

15-20 ft
Growing Zones

5-9
Sunlight
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Growth Rate

Moderate
Flower Color
- White
Leaf Color
- Green
- Red
- Purple
Fall Color

Red
Native

Yes
Pollinator Friendly

Yes
Pollinator Required

No
Bloom Period

Early Spring
Does Not Ship To

AK, FL, HI, ID, MT, OR

Planting & Care Instructions

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.

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Growing Zones 5-9

Find Your Growing Zone!

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

How fast do white dogwood trees grow?

White dogwood trees grow at a moderate rate of 1-2 feet per year. Under ideal conditions with morning sun and afternoon shade, your tree will reach its mature height of 15-25 feet in 7-10 years.

When do white dogwood trees bloom?

White dogwood trees bloom in April through May, typically before leaves emerge. The white bracts (often mistaken for petals) last 2-3 weeks and appear on trees as young as 2-3 years old.

Do white dogwoods need full sun or shade?

White dogwoods prefer morning sun and afternoon shade, especially in Zones 8-9 where afternoon heat can stress foliage. In northern zones (5-6), they tolerate more direct sun throughout the day with consistent moisture.

How big do flowering dogwoods get?

Flowering dogwoods typically reach 15-25 feet tall with a 20-25 foot spread at maturity. Growth rate averages 1-2 feet per year, so expect a 10-foot tree to reach full size in 7-10 years.

Are dogwood roots invasive?

Dogwood roots are not invasive and spread in a shallow, fibrous pattern. You can safely plant white dogwoods 8-10 feet from foundations, patios, and driveways without risk of damage.

What are the best white dogwood varieties?

Cherokee Princess offers reliable growth and large white bracts. Cloud 9 produces exceptionally heavy blooms. Appalachian Spring provides superior anthracnose disease resistance for areas with fungal pressure.

When is the best time to plant white flowering dogwood?

The best time to plant white flowering dogwood is early spring or fall when temperatures are mild. Spring planting (March-April) allows roots to establish before summer heat, while fall planting (September-October) takes advantage of cooler weather and winter rains.

It’s ok, I thought it would have been bigger

Kinda small for what I wanted and website did not indicate the size. But hopefully it will do well for years to come. Shipping was extremely fast and shipped with care.

Hi there,

Thank you for taking the time to leave a review for our White Flowering Dogwood. We apologize that the size was not clearly indicated on our website. We are constantly working to improve our product information for our customers. We are glad to hear that the shipping was fast and that the plant was well taken care of.

In regards to the size, our Dogwood is a young plant and will continue to grow over the years. In the meantime, we recommend giving it plenty of water and placing it in a spot with partial shade. This will help it thrive and reach its full potential. We hope you enjoy watching it grow and bloom for many years to come.

Thank you for choosing our product and for your valuable feedback. Happy gardening!

Best,
Nature Hills Support

Lovely Tree

The dogwood came packaged very well and in great condition. I am anxious to see it grow and provide the shade and beauty that I am hoping for. I am pleased with the service and quality at Nature Hills.

Thank you, Mary, for your kind review of the White Flowering Dogwood!

We’re so happy to hear your tree arrived in great condition and was well-packaged—that’s always our goal! The White Dogwood is a timeless favorite, and we share your excitement to watch it grow into a stunning focal point, offering both shade and seasonal charm. We're also grateful for your kind words about our service—it means the world to us!

Here for all your plant care needs,
Nature Hills – America’s Online Plant Experts

Beautiful!!

Great write up. Will plant one of these in the backyard of my new house in the next month.

Hello Sandy,

Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the write-up and are planning to plant a White Flowering Dogwood in your new backyard. These trees are truly stunning and can bring such elegance and charm to any landscape.

When it comes to planting your dogwood, be sure to select a spot with well-draining soil and partial shade, if possible—this will help it thrive for years to come. Keep in mind that dogwoods appreciate consistent moisture, especially in hotter climates, so regular watering as the tree establishes is key. If you’d like, we have detailed care guides on our website that provide tips on mulching, pruning, and promoting their gorgeous blooms, which could be helpful once your dogwood is settled.

Congratulations on your new home—what a perfect new beginning with this beautiful tree taking root in your yard!

Rooting for your garden’s success,
Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team

Planting my own

I finally will be putting in my own Cherokee Princess this spring and I cant wait. This tree is one of the most beautiful trees I have ever seen.

Hi Gina134,

Thank you so much for sharing your excitement about planting the Cherokee Princess White Flowering Dogwood! You’re absolutely right—this tree is truly a stunning addition to any yard with its elegant winter buds and striking porcelain-white blooms. We’re thrilled you’ve chosen such a beautiful specimen to nurture in your own garden.

As you prepare for spring planting, make sure to select a location with well-drained soil and partial shade, as dogwoods thrive best in these conditions. Mulching around the base will help retain moisture and protect roots through temperature fluctuations. Should you want to enhance its health further, occasional deep watering and monitoring for pests like borers will keep your Cherokee Princess happy and vibrant.

We’re so excited to be part of this planting journey with you and are here if you have any questions along the way. Wishing your new dogwood many seasons of beauty and joy!

Rooting for your garden’s success,
Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team

White flowers

The older my white flowering dogwood gets, the more I like it. Loads of white flowers every spring.

Dear The J.,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with your white flowering dogwood! It warms our hearts to hear that as your tree matures, its abundant white blooms continue to bring you joy every spring. Dogwoods truly are a stunning addition to any garden, and your appreciation for its growing beauty reflects a true connection with your landscape.

If you ever want tips on helping sustain those vibrant blooms or keeping your dogwood healthy through the seasons, feel free to reach out. For instance, providing mulch to retain moisture, ensuring proper watering during dry spells, and inspecting the tree for any signs of pests can all make a positive difference. We’re here to help you cultivate an even fuller and healthier display of blossoms for years to come!

Thank you again for your kind feedback and for inviting us into your planting journey.

Rooting for your garden’s success,
Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team

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White Flowering Dogwood

Cornus florida

Plant Sentry™

Delivery and Shipping

Specifications