Stellar Nova™ Dogwood
Cornus x Stellar Nova™
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry™ Protected
Your order is protected by our compliance system that:
- Prevents restricted plants from shipping to your state
- Ensures plants meet your state's agricultural requirements
- Protects gardens from invasive pests and diseases
Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Fast, Safe Plant Delivery
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 |
✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee
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 Sentry™ Protected
Your order is protected by our compliance system that:
- Prevents restricted plants from shipping to your state
- Ensures plants meet your state's agricultural requirements
- Protects gardens from invasive pests and diseases
Plant Profile & Growing Essentials
Flowering, Fragrant, Cold hardy, Drought resistant, Evergreen, Attracts pollinators, Seedless, and Disease resistant
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Botanical Name
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Height
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Width
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Growing Zones
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Sunlight
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Growth RateModerate
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Flower Color
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Leaf Color
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Pollinator FriendlyYes
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Bloom PeriodLate Spring
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Does Not Ship ToAK, FL, ID, MT, OR
A Modern Brilliance in Flowering Trees
The Stellar Nova™ Dogwood, botanically known as Cornus x 'Rutstar', represents a revolution in ornamental breeding. Developed by Dr. Thomas Molnar at Rutgers University, this vigorous hybrid combines the elegant spirit of the native flowering dogwood with the rugged resilience of the Kousa species. While many dogwoods struggle with the sweltering heat of midsummer, Stellar Nova™ is a "workhorse" in the landscape, maintaining dense, dark green foliage that resists curling and scorching even when temperatures soar.
Dramatic Late-Spring Bloom
As the early spring blossoms of other trees begin to fade, Stellar Nova™ takes center stage. In late May, it erupts in a canopy of extra-large, bright white floral bracts. These blooms are noted for their high reflectivity; Dr. Molnar describes them as being visible "from a thousand feet away" because they practically glow in the sun. Because it blooms slightly later than traditional varieties, it serves as the perfect partner to pink-flowering dogwoods like 'Scarlet Fire™', creating a synchronized and high-contrast seasonal display.
Four-Season Appeal and Versatility
Growing to a mature height of 10-15 feet with a tidy spread of 10-12 feet, this tree is perfectly sized for modern residential lots. Its upright habit makes it an ideal specimen for a front yard focal point, a courtyard accent, or a refined addition to a flowering border. When autumn arrives, the dark green leaves transition into a rich display of reddish-purple tones before falling to reveal a graceful, sculptural branching structure that provides winter interest. Best of all, this hybrid is sterile, meaning it focuses all its energy on its magnificent flowers and foliage rather than messy fruit production.
