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One of the highlights of spring in western Washington is the flowering of the native Pacific dogwood (Cornus nuttallii). It is a larger, more spectacular version of its eastern cousin. Unfortunately, healthy specimens are rare. During the past 15 years, Pacific dogwoods have been hard hit by an anthracnose disease that causes browning of the leaves, twig dieback, and, in severe cases, death of the tree. Pacific dogwoods often do not take well to the summer irrigating, fertilizing, and pruning of highly managed landscapes anyway. The look best when growing in natural woodland.
The kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa) is generally more resistant to anthracnose than either the flowering dogwood or Pacific dogwood. This Asian species blooms later too, starting in late May and continuing through June. Its showy flower structures are held neatly above the foliage, emphasizing the often horizontal branching pattern of the kousa dogwood. For autumn interest, this species offers raspberry-like fruits and dark red foliage.
Growers have developed a number of hybrids between the flowering dogwood and kousa dogwood recently, supposedly combing the best traits of each. These hybrids should appear in local nurseries soon.
A fourth dogwood, Cornus mas, does not have the classical dogwood look. Cornealian cherry is its common name. It produced edible red fruit, loved by birds, but is no relation to the cherry. The real attraction of this shrub or small tree is the mass of small, yellow flowers that appear in February and March. Their yellow haze brightens the dreary days of late winter. This rugged plant tolerates sub-zero temperatures and alkaline soils.
Another uncharacteristic dogwood is the redtwig or redosier dogwood (Cornus stolonifera), a multi-stemmed shrub native to moist soils in both eastern and western Washington. Its dark red twigs really stand out when leafless in the winter, especially when poking up through snow.
This varied group of plants even includes a delicate ground cover (Cornus canadensis) native to moist forests in our state. Check nursery catalogs and specialty nurseries for other species.
Most dogwoods prefer a moist, acid, well-drained soil. They may be more difficult to grow in eastern Washington, but success is possible with close attention to soil preparation and summer watering.
For further information contact your local WSU Extension Office.
From The Gardener, Vol. 6, No. 4, Winter 1995-96
