Cornus controversaGiant dogwood
科:山茱萸科
Family:Cornaceae
属:山茱萸属
common name:Giant dogwood
introduce:Plant Type: Tree
Family: Cornaceae
Missouri Native: No
Native Range: China, Japan
Height: 35 to 40 feet
Spread: 35 to 40 feet
Bloom Time: May - June
Bloom Color: Creamy white
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium moisture
Maintenance: Low
General Culture:
Grow in acidic, organically rich, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Some afternoon shade is appreciated in hot summer climates such as the St. Louis area. Best performance occurs in cool summer climates. Provide consistent moisture and mulch root zone.
Noteworthy Characteristics:
Giant dogwood is a rounded, medium-sized, deciduous tree that will grow somewhat rapidly to 35-40?(less frequently to 60? tall with distinctive horizontal branching in tiers. This tree and C. alternifolia (see A768) are the only dogwoods that feature alternate leaves. Small, creamy-white flowers appear in flattened clusters (cymes to 3-7?wide) in late spring (May-June). Although individual flowers are small, a tree in full bloom is quite showy. Flowers give way to clusters of bluish-black fruits (drupes to 1/2? that mature in summer. Fruits are attractive to birds. Ovate dark green leaves (3-6?long) are glaucous beneath. Fall color is variable but usually not showy, ranging from at best a respectable red-purple to a more typical pale green and yellow.
Problems:
Susceptible to leaf spot, root rot and canker. Scale, leaf miner and borers are occasional insect pests. Unlike C. alternifolia, this species is resistant to twig blight.
Uses:
Lawn tree.
