Dogwoods or hornbush (Cornus) are a group of shrubs or small trees that are widespread throughout the northern hemisphere of the earth. Although all species come from temperate climate zones, their requirements in terms of location and planting are quite different. Some dogwoods are quite shade tolerant, while others are not.
How to plant dogwood correctly?
When planting dogwoods (Cornus), you should consider the location, substrate and planting time. Depending on the species, choose a sunny to shady location, pay attention to the right soil conditions (acidic or calcareous) and plant in spring or autumn.
Where does the dogwood feel particularly comfortable?
As a rule, the dogwood prefers a sunny to slightly shady location, but some species are also satisfied with a shady spot. For example, the pagoda dogwood (Cornus controversus) and the ground-covering carpet dogwood (Cornus canadensis) are shade-tolerant.
In which substrate should you plant the dogwood?
When it comes to choosing a substrate, it's a little more difficult. Some species prefer acidic ericaceous soil, while others need a calcareous substrate.
| Dogwood type | Botanical name | Location | Substrate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White Dogwood | Cornus alba | sunny to partially shaded | moist, humus |
| Pagoda Dogwood | Cornus controversus | sunny to shady | slightly sour |
| Asian Flower Dogwood | Cornus kousa | sunny to partially shaded | permeable, slightly acidic |
| Cornelian cherry | Cornus mas | sunny or light partial shade | humic, calcareous |
| Japanese Cornelian Cherry | Cornus officinalis | sunny or light partial shade | humic, calcareous |
| Red Dogwood | Cornus sanguinea | sunny to partially shaded | moist, calcareous |
| White Dogwood | Cornus sericea | sunny to partially shaded | calcareous |
| Yellowwood Dogwood | Cornus stolonifera | sunny to partially shaded | normal garden soil |
| Flower Dogwood | Cornus florida | sunny to partially shaded | slightly sour |
| Carpet Dogwood | Cornus canadensis | sunny to shady | moist, humus |
When is the best time to plant dogwoods?
Dogwood should be planted in spring or fall.
What planting distance should be maintained?
Since most species can grow up to 10 meters high and several meters wide, dogwoods should be planted with as much space as possible. A distance of one meter is recommended for hedge planting.
When does the dogwood bloom?
Some dogwood species bloom before budding in the months March to April, others only between May and June.
How to propagate dogwood?
Dogwoods can be propagated either from seeds or cuttings, although you need to be patient in the first few years: then the young tree grows very slowly.
Good neighbors / Bad neighbors
The choice of underplanting or neighboring plants - if you want to plant a hedge - depends primarily on the specific requirements of individual species in terms of location and soil (see table!).
Tip
There are also dogwood species (e.g. the carpet dogwood) that grow creeping and are therefore suitable for underplanting or as ground cover.
