The dogwood or horn bush (Cornus) is a shrub or small tree - some species grow creeping and are therefore suitable as ground cover - and is not only considered to be extremely easy to care for, but also very attractive. A magnificent eye-catcher are not only the flowers, but also the often colored bark and the lush foliage. The different types of flowering dogwood are particularly popular.
Most dogwood species have white flowers
Dogwood flowers are usually white
Most dogwood species have white flowers that are clustered in umbellate, paniculate, or capitate inflorescences. The flowers consist of four fused sepals with the ovary and also four petals. Some dogwoods also form yellow (cornelian cherry) or slightly pink (red flower dogwood 'Rubra') flowers, only the Swedish dogwood (Cornus suecica), which is very rarely found here, has dark purple flowers. With the exception of the very early flowering cornel, most dogwood species have their flowering period between May and June.
The various flower dogwoods bloom particularly lavishly
The flower or flower dogwoods in particular are very popular with many gardeners. The actual flowers are quite inconspicuous, only the mostly white or yellow bracts, up to five centimeters long, ensure the interesting and eye-catching appearance.
American flower dogwood (Cornus florida)
The rather slow-growing Cornus florida belongs to the early bloomers and, depending on the variety, shows its white or pink flowers before the leaves sprout.
++++Red flower dogwood (Cornus florida 'Rubra')
The 'Rubra' variety blooms particularly beautifully and profusely, with pink-white flowers that are up to 12 centimeters in size. The foliage is variegated green and white. This variant flowers between May and June.
Japanese Flower Dogwood (Cornus kousa)
The Japanese flower dogwood only shows its impressive flowers from the end of May. The white flowers, often tinged with pink, can grow up to nine centimeters in diameter.
Chinese flower dogwood (Cornus kousa var. chinensis)
The longest flowering period is offered by the Chinese flower dogwood, which often shows its lush white flowers from the beginning of May and lasts until July.
tips
If the dogwood does not want to bloom, patience is often the only solution: the trees and shrubs often only bloom at an advanced age of between six and nine years.