A little seed. A new beginning.
Seeds In A Cup®A LITTLE SEED. A NEW BEGINNING.

GROW SOMETHING WONDERFUL

Dogwood

Cornus florida

Your guide to planting, growing, and getting to know this plant.

THE PLANT NOTEBOOK

Dogwood care, from seed onward.

Botanical name
Cornus florida
Common names
Flowering Dogwood
Family
Cornaceae
Genus
Cornus
Species
C. florida
01

Start growing

Prefers partial shade and moist, well-drained acidic soil. Mulch heavily.

02

Growing with your kit

Seeds In A Cup® seeds are pre-stratified. Watch the unique 'arcuate' leaf venation develop in your kit.

03

Propagation

By seed, budding, or cuttings.

04

Seasonal growth & harvest

Blooms in spring; spectacular scarlet fall foliage and persistent winter berries for birds.

05

Growing conditions

Understory in deciduous forests and along forest edges.

06

Weather & tolerances

Shade tolerant; sensitive to drought and road salt.

07

Pests & plant health

Dogwood anthracnose (fungal disease) and borers.

08

Plant safety

Berries are not for human consumption; not toxic, but very bitter and non-palatable.

09

Botanical features

A small deciduous tree famous for its large flower-like white or pink bracts and glossy red berries.

10

Varieties

‘Cherokee Chief’ (Pink), ‘Cloud 9’.

11

Garden & everyday uses

Iconic ornamental. hardwood used for textile shuttles and golf club heads. Berries are critical for migrating birds

12

Native range & distribution

Eastern North America, from Maine to Florida.

13

Conservation

Significantly affected by anthracnose in the wild; resistant cultivars are important.

14

Name origins

From 'dag-wood' (dagger-wood), as the hard wood was used for making skewers and daggers.

15

History

Official state tree of Virginia and Missouri.

Grow dogwood in a cup.