Cornus florida Seeds | Flowering Dogwood
LATIN NAME: Cornus florida
COMMON NAME: Flowering Dogwood
Plant Profile
Cornus florida, commonly known as Flowering Dogwood, is a small, rounded, deciduous tree. Herb steadily grows into a rounded crown, with a mature height of 5-10 metres. It is content in light shade or sun and moist, rich ground. All of this makes Flowering Dogwood a satisfying plant to grow and to get to know.
Science & Biotechnology
Botanists studying the Cornus group regularly include Cornus florida in comparative work, and the species also appears in horticultural trials aimed at gardeners and growers. Flowering dogwood has a genuine and rich place in both horticultural and botanical research. Centuries of cultivation have left a detailed record of how it grows and behaves.
Uses & Benefits
Beyond its ornamental appeal, Flowering Dogwood has the practical versatility that makes a plant worth growing from seed year after year. Ecologically, flowering dogwood is a generous tree of the eastern forest. Its spring flowers feed bees and other pollinators, its red berries feed birds and small mammals, and its broad, leafy crown gives shelter, while it is a beloved and valuable member of the eastern American forest. Its economic value lies mainly in horticulture. In later seasons it demands little more than an appreciative eye.
Cornelian cherry fruits, Shan Zhu Yu, are a classical Chinese astringent tonic herb and a tart, vitamin-rich fruit for preserves; the genus’s iridoid glycosides, loganin and morroniside, are studied for kidney-protective effects.
Growing from Seed
Flowering Dogwood is one of those generous plants that come along well from seed. Surface-sow onto a light, well-drained compost, dust over a thin covering, and keep evenly moist and sunny until the seedlings show. Move strong seedlings into individual pots, keep them in good light, and set them out when the weather and their size agree.
Our Take
Once established, Flowering Dogwood largely looks after itself. Fresh seed sown into evenly moist compost is most of the battle won.
Related Reading
If Flowering Dogwood appeals to you, these related plants are worth a look: