White Flowering Dogwood
Facts about the White Flowering Dogwood
The white flowering dogwood, a beautiful deciduous tree with stunning blooms in the springtime, is a great landscaping choice. Not only does it have beautiful flowers, but it even has some mythology behind it as well, making it an intriguing addition to any garden or yard.
One of the best things about the white flowering dogwood tree is that it has something interesting to offer in all four seasons. This gives planters an incentive to add it to their gardening project. During the springtime, the blooms are full and white. Few trees are as gorgeous as the dogwood when it is in full bloom. In the fall, however, the leaves turn to brilliant shades of purple and red. Winter songbirds are attracted to the red fruits.
When planting, it’s good to remember that the white flowering dogwood does well in either the full sun or in partial shade. It has a medium growth rate and prefers rich, acidic, well-drained soil. It reaches its maturity at approximately 15 feet.
The planting hole should be about twice the diameter of the root system. Once the tree is placed in the hole, it is important to ensure that it is straight. Air pockets should be removed as the hole is refilled with soil and water. It is suggested that mulch be used, especially organic varieties that include pine needles and wood chips, but not placed directly against the trunk.
Although the fruits are not very flavorful for people, many animals like the flowers, leaves, bark, and fruit that the tree produces. Some birds that enjoy the fruit include bobwhites, wild turkeys, and ruffed grouse. Skunks, chipmunks, black bears, and foxes like the fruit as well. In addition, the twigs and foliage attract rabbits and deer.
Historically, the white flowering dogwood tree is native from Florida to Massachusetts. Native Americans used its bark to make medicinal teas and doctors used the tea as a quinine substitute during the Civil War. The hard wood has been used in everything from golf club heads to yokes. Thomas Jefferson planted dogwoods at Monticello and George Washington had them planted at his home in Mount Vernon.
However, many people believe that it had a use before that. An even older legend claims that it was the white flowering dogwood that was used to make the cross that Jesus was crucified on and that during that time the tree grew larger than it does now. As a result of the tragedy that it had to play a part in, God supposedly made the tree smaller afterwards, as well as with twisted branches, so that it could never be used for that purpose again. When looking at the dogwood bloom, it is often pointed out that the petals are in the shape of a cross while the cluster of seeds in the middle resembles a thorny crown.
This Christian legend is of unknown origin, although the story has existed for many years.
Because the blooms are thought to be so lovely, it is considered partially an ornamental tree. The blooms occur around April and May. Many people prefer to plant several dogwood trees close together, all of varying colors in order to give a beautiful contrast. The white flowering dogwood, for instance, looks striking when blooming next to a pink dogwood tree.
The trees are best when planted near patios, around porches, or in flower gardens for decorative purposes. However, it is not recommended that they be planted within close proximity to vegetable gardens as their fruit, bark, and leaves can draw rabbits and deer-two common pests when it comes to gardens.