flowering dogwood
Cornus florida 'Purple Glory'
Overview
The flowering dogwood (Cornus florida 'Purple Glory') is truly an amazing plant. In the spring, it produces lovely white flowers with vibrant purple center clusters in the middle of its lush green foliage. The summer brings with it an abundance of bright red drupes which provide a great source of food for birds and wildlife. In the autumn, the foliage turns to a beautiful burgundy-purple shade. It's adaptable to almost any soil type and can be grown in sun or shade, making it an excellent choice for gardens of any size. All in all, the 'Purple Glory' flowering dogwood is a spectacular specimen with its year-round beauty, adaptability, and food source.
Care Guide
Watering
Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida 'Purple Glory') should be watered when the soil feels dry to the touch at a depth of 1-2 inches. Water only as needed and avoid over-watering, as this can cause root rot and other problems with the plant. Water enough to soak the soil and encourage deep root development. This species prefers well-drained, moist soil and does not tolerate dry soil for extended periods. Depending on the season, you may need to water the plant as frequently as twice a week or once every 2 to 3 weeks. In the hottest months of the year, it's best to water Dogwood at least once a week so that the soil does not dry out completely. During the cooler winter and spring months, you may need to water less often.
Light
Flowering dogwood trees (Cornus florida 'Purple Glory') benefit from at least 8-10 hours of bright, indirect sunlight per day. The best time for this light is between sunrise and sunset when the sun is at the strongest. It is important to keep in mind that too much sunlight can damage the leaves of the tree, so it is important to be mindful that the tree is receiving adequate but not excessive sunlight exposure. A site with eastern or western exposure is ideal for this species.
Soil
Acidic, Well-drained
Temperature
Hardiness zone 6–6.
Pruning
Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida 'Purple Glory') should be pruned in late winter or early spring while the plant is still dormant. Pruning should be limited to selectively removing dead, diseased, or damaged branches, and thinning out overcrowding or interfering branches. Due to the brittleness of the flowering dogwood’s branches, any heavy pruning should be avoided, as it can damage or remove the terminal buds and stunt the flowering. Removing 1-2 older branches every year will help keep the tree healthy and vigorous.
Propagation
Grafting Propagation, Cutting, Layering Propagation, Air Layering Propagation, Seed Propagation
Diseases & Pests
Common pests: Anthracnose, Canker, sap rot, Diptera - true flies, Fungal leaf spot, Mildew, Nematodes, Root rot, Scale insects, Stem borer insects, Thrips, Deer resistant .
Related plants
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