The dogwood or hornbush (Cornus) is a shrub or small tree - some species grow in a creeping manner and are therefore suitable as ground cover - and is not only extremely easy to care for, but also very attractive. Not only are the flowers a magnificent eye-catcher, but also the often colored bark and the lush foliage. The different types of flowering dogwoods are particularly popular.
What colors do dogwood flowers have and when do they bloom?
The dogwood flowers are mostly white and appear between May and June. The American, Japanese and Chinese flower dogwood species have particularly lush flowers, although slightly pink or yellow variants can also occur.
Dogwood flowers are usually white
Most dogwood species have white flowers that are arranged in umbellate, panicle-shaped or capitate-shaped inflorescences. The flowers consist of four sepals grown together with the ovary and also four petals. Some dogwoods also produce yellow (cornelian cherry) or slightly pink (red flower dogwood 'Rubra') flowers, only the Swedish dogwood (Cornus suecica), which is rarely found here, blooms dark purple. With the exception of the cornelian cherry, which blooms very early, most dogwood species bloom between May and June.
The various dogwood flowers bloom particularly luxuriantly
The flower or flowering dogwoods in particular are very popular with many gardeners. The actual flowers are quite inconspicuous, only the mostly white or yellow bracts, up to five centimeters long, ensure the interesting and eye-catching appearance.
American flower dogwood (Cornus florida)
The rather slow-growing Cornus florida is one of the early bloomers and, depending on the variety, shows its white or pink flowers even before the leaves emerge.
++++Red flower dogwood (Cornus florida 'Rubra')
The 'Rubra' variety blooms particularly beautifully and lushly, producing pink-red-white flowers up to 12 centimeters in size. The foliage is variegated green and white. This variant blooms between May and June.
Japanese flower dogwood (Cornus kousa)
The Japanese flower dogwood only shows its impressive flowers from the end of May. The white, often pink flowers can grow up to nine centimeters in diameter.
Chinese flower dogwood (Cornus kousa var. chinensis)
The Chinese dogwood has the longest flowering period, often showing its lush white flowers from the beginning of May and maintaining it until July.
Tip
If the dogwood does not want to bloom, patience is often the only solution: the trees often only bloom at an advanced age between six and nine years.