As the state flower of both North Carolina and Virginia, dogwoods are a highly sought-after tree in our area. Dogwoods began their history prized more for their wood than for their beautiful blooms. In Europe, the thin stems of hardwood were used to make arrow shafts and daggers, while the Native Americans used the wood for several medicinal properties they believed it to possess.

But it was Thomas Jefferson who really should be credited for the dogwoods use today as an ornamental tree. He planted many on his property at Monticello and spoke highly of the species. This helped dogwoods take off as ornamental specimens across the country.

How to Care for Your Dogwood

Light Requirements: Dogwoods thrive best if they are planted in a partial sun environment. Dogwoods can tolerate full sun, but the intense summer heat we experience in our area can leave dogwoods looking wilted and sad throughout most of the day if they aren’t able to get some relief.

Watering Requirements: Dogwoods need moist soil to thrive. Slow, deep waterings encourage deeper root growth which is beneficial for any tree, especially during times of drought. In the beginning, water your dogwood early and often so that the root systems become established. After that, it’s just a matter of watering when the soil begins to feel slightly dry. Keep an eye on the weather and if periods of dry or extremely hot weather persist, up your watering regimen.

Dogwood Varieties Available at Meadows Farms

Remember, the dogwoods listed below are just a selection of the varieties that Meadows Farms carries. Please call your local Meadows Farms for other varieties or special requests.

CHEROKEE BRAVE

A highly desirable ornamental tree which is absolutely blanketed in rich red flowers that fade to white in the centers in spring, attractive tiered habit as well; an extremely fussy tree that requires rich, well-drained acidic soil and adequate moisture.

CHEROKEE PRINCESS

Possibly the ultimate small specimen tree, famous for its huge yet delicate white blooms in spring; extremely fussy, requires rich, well-drained acidic soil and adequate precipitation; one of the hardiest, best with some shelter.

KOUSA

A truly beautiful specimen tree for the home landscape, with large, showy white flowers in spring and a strongly horizontal habit of growth; very particular as to siting, requires rich, well-drained acidic soil and adequate precipitation.

MILKY WAY

A spectacular specimen tree for the home landscape, with showy white flowers held on top of the branches in spring and a strongly horizontal habit of growth; very particular as to siting, requires rich, well-drained acidic soil and adequate precipitation.

SAMARITAN

A truly beautiful specimen tree, with showy green and white variegated foliage, one of the best; red fruit in fall and an upward habit of growth; very particular as to siting, requires rich, well-drained acidic soil and adequate precipitation.

SATOMI

A truly beautiful specimen tree for the home landscape, with large, showy deep pink flowers in spring and a strongly horizontal habit of growth; very particular as to siting, requires rich, well-drained acidic soil and adequate precipitation.

STARLIGHT

A heavily flowering hybrid with striking white blooms that cover it in spring, and foliage that changes to a rich red in the fall; vigorous grower with an erect habit and upright branches makes it a great choice for a front yard accent tree.

STELLAR PINK

An interesting hybrid adorned with lovely pink blooms and foliage that changes to a reddish purple in the fall; vigorous grower with an erect habit and overlapping branches makes it a great choice for a front yard accent shrub.