How to Grow and Care for Red Dogwood Trees

Red Dogwood Trees – Flowering dogwoods (Cornus florida) are deciduous trees that are native to the eastern portion of the United States and are known for their beautiful blooms. These trees can enhance the attractiveness of the environment all year round. Now, let’s take a look at how to properly develop dogwood trees.

Flowering dogwoods are available in a variety of colors, ranging from white to pink or red, and they typically bloom for two to four weeks in early spring. They also bring color to the landscape in the summer and autumn, with vibrant green foliage in the summer and reddish purple leaves in the fall. In the winter, this is often followed by a profusion of vivid red berries. Dogwood maintenance will ensure that these wonderful trees reach their full potential in terms of aesthetics.

Dogwood Trees: Care and Growing Instructions

Dogwoods are understory trees that thrive in their native environment, where they are usually surrounded or shielded by bigger, more dominant trees. As a result, while caring for dogwood trees, this should be taken into consideration when the trees are planted in the landscape.

Putting these trees on the border of forested areas or in groups is typically more appropriate for their native environment than placing them in the middle of a field. They may also be utilized as a background for azaleas or other spring-flowering shrubs to provide a splash of color to the garden.

Flowering dogwoods may be cultivated in either full sun or partial shade, but trees planted in partial shade tend to perform better in the long run. Trees placed in full sun may suffer from stress, making them more prone to dogwood borers and heat stress, among other problems. Dogwood trees placed in full sun need regular watering for proper upkeep, particularly during hot weather.

In spite of the fact that dogwoods may thrive in a wide range of climates and soil conditions, they normally grow best in and even prefer well-drained, humus-rich soil that is somewhat acidic in nature.

Dogwood Trees Care & Treatment

Planting bare root and burlap dogwood trees in the late autumn or early spring is the best time to do it.

Container-grown trees may be transplanted at any time of the year, as long as they are watered on a regular basis once they have been planted. A dogwood should be planted approximately two-thirds of the way down the root ball of the plant. The dirt should be carefully mounded around the sides of the root ball to protect it from the elements.

It is not necessary to lay soil exactly over the top of the root ball, since the root ball should be kept slightly above the ground level.

A layer of mulch may be used to help save water, but, for proper dogwood care, the mulch should be kept at least two inches (5 cm) away from the trunk. Make care to fully water the tree after planting and on a regular basis until the tree has established itself.

Taking Care of Flowering Dogwood

During the summer and autumn, most dogwoods need more watering, particularly during hot, dry periods. If you want to take good care of your blooming dogwood trees, a weekly watering to a depth of 6 inches (15 cm) should be sufficient. Adding a substantial layer of mulch, on the other hand, will aid in moisture retention, reducing the need for watering.

The majority of well-established trees do not need fertilization. If you do decide to fertilize young dogwoods, use a tiny quantity of slow-release fertilizer to ensure that the tree does not get too stressed.

Dogwood trees are rarely pruned; however, depending on the circumstances, it may be necessary to remove dead or wounded branches, suckers, and diseased or insect-infested areas of the tree on occasion.In addition, shaping trees may help to keep them from appearing too appealing.

Flowering dogwood trees are classified as “bleeders,” which implies that they will leak sap if cut in the late winter or early spring. Because these plants do not leak sap throughout the summer, it is the best time to take care of any trimming duties that may be required.

Dogwood trees are extremely simple to care for after they have become established in the landscape. Flowering dogwoods need little maintenance as long as they are planted in the correct circumstances and in the proper place.

Growing Guides for the Red Dogwood Trees

Growing a red twig dogwood is an excellent way to brighten up your winter garden with beautiful color. The stems, which are green in the spring and summer, become a brilliant scarlet in the fall as the foliage dies down to the ground. Flowers of creamy white bloom in the spring, and berries that turn from green to white towards the end of summer are also produced by the shrub. Both the fruits and the blooms stand out well against the dark backdrop of the leaves, but they pale in contrast to the spectacular winter show that awaits.

Dogwood plants with red twigs should not be confused with other dogwood trees. Despite the fact that both the tree and the shrub are members of the Cornus genus, red twig dogwoods never reach the height of a tree. Tatarian dogwood (C. alba) and Redosier dogwood (C. redosiera) are two species of Cornus that are known as red twig dogwoods (C. sericea). The two species are quite similar to one another.

Red twig dogwood is one of those plants where more is better in terms of size and shape. Whether planted in groups or as an informal hedge, they make a stunning statement. When planting red-twig dogwoods, be sure to allow them plenty of room to spread out. They can grow up to 8 feet (2.5 meters) tall and spread out to 8 feet (2.5 meters). Overcrowding promotes illness and results in stems that are less beautiful and thin.

Red Dogwood Trees Care

With the exception of trimming, red twig dogwood requires little attention. Pruning is required every year in order to maintain the vibrant hues of the twigs. Generally speaking, the major purpose of trimming red twig dogwoods is to remove any old stems that are no longer displaying attractive winter color.

Every year, roughly a third of the stems at ground level should be removed. Remove any old, brittle stems, as well as those that are broken, discolored, or otherwise growing in a bad manner. This kind of trimming helps to keep the color vibrant and the shrub in good health. If you like, you may shorten the stems after thinning to keep the height under control. If the shrub grows overgrown or out of control, cut it down to a height of 9 inches (23 cm) above the ground or even lower. This is a rapid and effective method of rejuvenating the plant, but it creates a barren space in the landscape until the plant recovers.

Water red twig dogwoods once a week in the absence of rain during the first couple of months after planting, and then reduce the amount of water applied after the shrub has become established. Watering mature bushes is only necessary during dry times. Apply compost or a little dusting of slow-release fertilizer over the root zone once a year to provide nourishment to the plant’s roots.