Dogwood

I planted Dogwood without expecting much and it's become one of the most satisfying things in my garden. canopy habitat for birds, insects, and wildlife is something I couldn't have predicted from looking at it in a nursery. You only understand it once the plant is established and performing. I kee…

Dogwood is clearly a great plant — I can see that from other people's results. Mine has been decent but not spectacular, and I think I know why. I underestimated the importance of watering deeply and regularly in the first two growing seasons in the early stages and paid for it. honey fungus affect…

After growing Dogwood for over a year here is what I'd tell a beginner. First: staking correctly with a low stake to allow the trunk to flex and strengthen is not optional — it's the foundation everything else depends on. Second: root encroachment near drains or house foundations will happen and yo…

Dogwood is a genuinely satisfying plant to grow, but I want to be upfront about one thing: root encroachment near drains or house foundations. I've dealt with it twice now and it takes consistent attention to manage. Beyond that, multi-decade investment that improves year on year makes it one of my…

My first attempt at Dogwood failed — verticillium wilt causing branch dieback on susceptible species got hold of it and I didn't know what I was looking at until it was too late. I left it alone for a year before trying again. The second attempt, with proper attention to formative pruning in the fi…

I don't have a garden so a specimen on a lawn as a traditional statement tree is my only option for Dogwood. It absolutely works — with the right attention to staking correctly with a low stake to allow the trunk to flex and strengthen you can get excellent results in containers. canopy habitat for…

The first few months with Dogwood were underwhelming. Almost no visible growth and I questioned my decision repeatedly. Then something shifted — I think getting staking correctly with a low stake to allow the trunk to flex and strengthen right was the turning point. exceptional seasonal spectacle f…

I've been growing Dogwood for a full year now and want to capture what each season offered. full canopy providing shade and habitat in summer was the clear high point — everything you're told about Dogwood at that time of year is true. But the plant has something to offer in every season, which I ha…

I had a serious problem with root encroachment near drains or house foundations on my Dogwood earlier this year. Caught it late and had to work hard to bring the plant back. The experience was frustrating but educational. Now that it's healthy again I can fully appreciate multi-decade investment th…

I started with one Dogwood and now have four, all from propagation. The process is straightforward once you understand formative pruning in the first five years to build a clear leader — something I picked up from trial and error rather than any guide. I display them in a boundary or avenue plantin…