There are SO many noteworthy dogwood trees, but here are some of the most common dogwood varieties you may encounter. – Flowering Dogwood – Red Twig Dogwood – Cornelian Cherry Dogwood – Japanese Dogwood
Most dogwoods can be identified by their leaves with smooth edges and veins that curve parallel to the edges. They also have opposite branching, where the side branches grow directly opposite of each other rather than alternating.
Dogwoods prefer sunny areas that have some afternoon shade. They like to be protected from the sun either through dappled shade from a taller tree or partial shade from a nearby building.
Dogwoods are fairly adaptable when it comes to soil types, though they prefer it slightly acidic. Well-drained, moist soil is ideal though some may tolerate boggy conditions.
Dogwoods don’t require much fertilizer. If you have well-balanced soil, you may not need fertilizer at all. Most established shrubs and trees do not require fertilizer, so only apply it before it’s established. A slow-release fertilizer at a ratio of 16-4-9 works best. Avoid overfertilizing as this can burn the leaves or even kill the plant.
Lucky for you, dogwoods require very little pruning care! Like any plant, you can prune to remove any dead or diseased branches. You may also prune for shape, though most dogwood trees have a naturally good shape and don’t require pruning.