Transforming Your Landscape With Dogwood Trees
Dogwood trees, specifically Cornus Kousa and Cornus Florida varieties, are nature's masterpieces for adding charm and elegance to your landscape. These exquisite trees are celebrated for their magnificent blooms, captivating foliage, and year-round visual appeal.
In this blog, we'll delve into the remarkable impact that Cornus Kousa and Cornus Florida varieties can have on your outdoor space. Beyond that, we will explore best planting techniques and care tips for dogwood trees and introduce you to three stunning varieties of each type to transform your home garden into a breathtaking sanctuary.
The Aesthetic Marvel of Cornus Kousa and Cornus Florida Varieties
Cornus Kousa and Cornus Florida Dogwood varieties are renowned for their enchanting beauty and how they can elevate your landscape throughout the year.
The pinnacle of their visual impact is undoubtedly their springtime display, where they burst into a riot of large, four-petaled flowers in white, pink, or red shades. These stunning blooms create an eye-catching spectacle that turns your garden into a work of art, making Cornus Kousa and Cornus Florida varieties a beloved choice among gardeners and homeowners alike.
The Difference Between Cornus Kousa and Cornus Florida Dogwoods
Before we dive into our favorite varieties of these two gorgeous dogwood varieties, we must dive into the key differentiating factors between them. The main difference between these varieties is their foliage and bloom shapes.
The Kousa Dogwood tends to have leaves a bit smaller than the leaves of the Florida Dogwood. Beyond the leaves, the flowers on the Kousa tend to emerge slightly later in the spring season. The Kousa dogwood blooms are also slightly smaller, with a green tint to their coloring. The Kousa dogwood is somewhat more drought tolerant than the Florida.
The Florida Dogwood Varieties are known for their larger notched blooms with a rounder appearance than the Kousa Dogwood blooms. On the other hand, the Kousa blooms come to a distinct point at their tips.
A final distinction that can be made between these two magnificent dogwood varieties is in the appearance of the bark. For the Cornus Florida Dogwood, the bark of mature trees appears thicker and scaly, gray, or with a slight reddish tinge. Meanwhile, the bark on the Kousa trees appears smoother and thinner.
Cornus Kousa Dogwood Varieties
White Kousa Dogwood
If you're searching for classic elegance and pristine beauty in the landscape, look no further than the White Kousa Dogwood. Sporting a natural vase-like form in adolescence and maturing into a canopy of blooms, this specimen is a longtime favorite in the landscape, bringing a whole new vibe to your yard design.
Milky Way Kousa Dogwood
If you love the look of the classic White Kousa but are seeking a smaller specimen, the Milky Way Kousa Dogwood is the best option for you. The Milky Way cultivar is a robust and spreading tree that is smaller in stature than the other Kousa dogwoods.
Pink Kousa Dogwood
While the White and Milkyway Kousa Dogwoods are classic and admirable selections, the Pink Kousa Dogwood will make a bold splash in the landscape. Featuring exquisite star-shaped pink blossoms in early spring, your yard will surely be the talk of the town when you plant the Pink Kousa.
Cornus Florida Dogwood Varieties
Cherokee Brave Dogwood
The Cherokee Brave Dogwood stands out with its creamy white blooms that stretch into vibrant pink tips. The foliage on this North American Native tree turns a lush green during summer before brightening to maroon in fall. Reaching a mature height near 30 feet, this is the perfect mid-size specimen tree for a front yard statement.
Cherokee Princess Dogwood
The Cherokee Princess Dogwood is notable for its early and heavy bloom of rounded, showy white flowers enveloped by large white bracts and lime green centers. Foliage emerges burgundy in spring before maturing to forest green. Leaves turn deep shades of red in fall.
Cherokee Chief Dogwood
The Cherokee Chief Dogwood is a great smaller variety of Florida Dogwood that grows to a mature height between 12 and 20 feet. Like the Cherokee Brave, this hardy tree sports bold pink and white blooms but differs in its initial burgundy leaf shades.
Dogwood Tree Planting Techniques
Before we introduce you to our top Cornus Kousa and Cornus Florida varieties, let's first go over some essential planting techniques and cultural information to ensure your dogwood trees flourish:
- Selecting the Perfect Spot: Cornus Kousa and Cornus Florida varieties thrive in partial shade to full sun, giving you versatility in garden placement. Ensure they receive at least four hours of direct sunlight daily.
- Soil Preparation: These trees prefer well-draining, slightly acidic soil. Enhance your soil with organic matter like compost or peat moss to improve drainage and fertility.
- Planting Depth: When you plant your dogwood tree, dig a hole that matches the depth of the root ball but is twice as wide. Position the top of the root ball slightly above ground level.
- Watering Schedule: Keep your Cornus Kousa and Cornus Florida varieties regularly watered, particularly during dry spells, to maintain consistently moist but not waterlogged soil.
- Mulch Application: Apply a layer of mulch around the tree's base to conserve moisture, regulate soil temperature, and deter weeds.
Shop Kousa and Florida Dogwood Trees Online
Cornus Kousa and Cornus Florida varieties have the remarkable ability to transform your landscape into a haven of beauty and serenity. With their exquisite blossoms, lush foliage, and unique bark, they offer year-round visual interest and are beloved by gardeners for their adaptability and relatively low maintenance.
By following proper planting techniques and care guidelines, you can cultivate thriving Cornus Kousa and Cornus Florida Dogwood varieties in your home garden, adding an element of enchantment that will bring joy for years to come. Explore our selection of these exceptional dogwood tree varieties and witness the magical charm they can bring to your outdoor space.