WHITE FLOWERING DOGWOOD
Native: Georgia
Family: cornaceae
The Dogwood Tree was first mentioned in the mid-1500s in Europe, where the Dogwood was known as the “Dagwood.” Over the years, through language differences and dialects, the name Dogwood replaced Dagwood.
The Dogwood trees were first cultivated around the mid-1700s, with many varieties being native to countries around the world. Thomas Jefferson was very fond of the Dogwood, and he planted many near his home, Monticello, in Virginia in the late 1700s. His fondness led to further popularity of the tree in the Southeast.
In the 19th Century, Native Americans were known to use the tree for many different purposes, including ceremonies and medicines. They also knew that when the Dogwoods began to bloom that it was time to begin planting their crops.
A pink dogwood can be identified by its showy pink “bracts” (see left photos) which are the modified leaves that surround the true flowers in the Spring (see right photo), which appear before the leaves.
Dogwood trees and shrubs have oppositely arranged leaves that are simple in complexity, with entire margins.
‘Tis the Season as the dogwood tree will berry in the Fall just in time for a festive display of Red. It looks holiday dressed against the bronzing green leaves of that time of years.