When does flowering dogwood bloom?

Flowering dogwood typically blooms in April and May, with showy white bracts appearing before or as the leaves emerge.

What kind of light does flowering dogwood need?

It tolerates conditions from full sun to fairly deep shade, but flowers most heavily and stays healthiest with part shade or dappled light, especially as an understory tree.

How much water does flowering dogwood require?

This tree prefers medium, evenly moist soil and does not tolerate prolonged drought or standing water well.

What pollinators visit flowering dogwood?

Bees, butterflies, and beetles visit the flowers for nectar and pollen, making it a useful early season resource in woodland gardens.

How large does flowering dogwood get?

It is a small tree, usually reaching 15 to 30 feet tall with a broad, layered crown, which makes it suitable for yards and woodland edges rather than open fields.

Is Flowering Dogwood HOA-friendly?

Flowering Dogwood takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Flowering Dogwood

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Cornus florida

Last reviewed: September 2026

Flowering dogwood is a small understory tree that blooms in April and May, producing white bracts before its leaves fully expand. It grows best in part shade with medium moisture in woodland and edge settings.

Toxicity unknown

Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

part shade

Water

medium

Size

240"–480" H × 240"–480" W

Bloom

Apr, May

Native to

AL, AR, CT, DE and 27 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, beetles

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Flowering dogwood is a beloved native tree known for its showy white or pink bracts in spring and brilliant red fall foliage. This medium-sized tree develops an attractive horizontal branching pattern and provides year-round interest with its distinctive bark and berries.

Growing Flowering Dogwood

Grow Flowering Dogwood in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 240 to 480 inches tall and spread 240 to 480 inches wide. Expect high maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Flowering Dogwood takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: high. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Poor cold hardiness for zone 3-4 winters
Likely to suffer winter damage or die

Wildlife value

Host plant for Spring Azure, Cecropia Moth, Dogwood Thyatirin Moth.

The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and beetles in spring, while the bright red berries feed over 35 bird species. The tree also hosts several butterfly caterpillars and provides nesting sites for birds.

Common questions

When does flowering dogwood bloom?: Flowering dogwood typically blooms in April and May, with showy white bracts appearing before or as the leaves emerge.
What kind of light does flowering dogwood need?: It tolerates conditions from full sun to fairly deep shade, but flowers most heavily and stays healthiest with part shade or dappled light, especially as an understory tree.
How much water does flowering dogwood require?: This tree prefers medium, evenly moist soil and does not tolerate prolonged drought or standing water well.
What pollinators visit flowering dogwood?: Bees, butterflies, and beetles visit the flowers for nectar and pollen, making it a useful early season resource in woodland gardens.
How large does flowering dogwood get?: It is a small tree, usually reaching 15 to 30 feet tall with a broad, layered crown, which makes it suitable for yards and woodland edges rather than open fields.
Is Flowering Dogwood HOA-friendly?: Flowering Dogwood takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

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