// SPECIES PROFILE · TREE · NATIVE

Flowering Dogwood

Cornus florida

Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) is a tree in the Cornaceae family. Native range includes AR, KS, MO, OK. Hardy in zones 5a–9a. Mature size 26'–65'. Blooms Apr–May.

// QUICK FACTS

Family: Cornaceae
Group: tree
Native range: Native to 32 U.S. states, including AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL…
USDA hardiness: Zones 5a–9a
Mature size: 26'–65'
Sun: Part shade
Water: Low · xeric
Bloom: Apr–May
Wildlife value: High — pollinator and wildlife support
Ecological role: understory spring bloomer · bird fruit · four-season beauty

Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) — *Cornus florida* — Flowering Dogwood. Photo by Eric Hunt via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Field Notes

[ growing · ecology · siting · care ]

Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) is a tree in the Cornaceae family. Native range includes AR, KS, MO, OK. Hardy in zones 5a–9a. Mature size 26'–65'. Blooms Apr–May. Low water use makes it a strong candidate for xeric and drought-conscious plantings.

Why it's on this list: understory spring bloomer · bird fruit · four-season beauty. Native-range data from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (NPIN), cross-checked against iNaturalist observations. Part of Rooted Revival's regional native plant catalog — true natives for Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas.

Companion Planting

[ guild · polyculture · cross-layer pairings ]

In the same native range, flowering dogwood pairs naturally with: American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), Black Cherry (Prunus serotina), Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), Black Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica).