Hybrid flowering dogwood, a cross between flowering dogwood and Kousa dogwood, is represented by several cultivars in the trade. Most are white-flowered (Stellar Pink® has pink flowers). These cultivars are resistant to dogwood borer and dogwood anthracnose (a serious disease).
This plant has some cultivated varieties. Go to list of cultivars.
Botanical name:
All common names:
Family (English):
Family (Botanic):
Planting Site:
- Residential and parks,
- Under utility lines
Tree or Plant Type:
- Tree
Foliage:
- Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)
Native Locale:
- Non-native
Landscape Uses:
- Patio/sidewalk,
- Specimen,
- Utility
Size Range:
- Small tree (15-25 feet),
- Compact tree (10-15 feet)
Mature Height:
Mature Width:
Light Exposure:
- Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily),
- Partial sun/shade (4-6 hrs light daily)
Hardiness Zones:
- Zone 5 (Chicago),
- Zone 6,
- Zone 7,
- Zone 8,
- Zone 9
Soil Preference:
- Acid soil,
- Moist, well-drained soil
Tolerances:
- Alkaline soil
Acid Soils:
- Prefers
Alkaline Soils:
- Moderately Tolerant
Salt Spray:
- Moderately Tolerant
Soil Salt:
- Intolerant
Drought Conditions:
- Intolerant
Poor Drainage:
- Moderately Tolerant
Planting Considerations:
- May be difficult to find in nurseries
Ornamental Interest:
- Spring blossoms,
- Fall color,
- Showy flowers
Seasons of Interest:
- early spring,
- mid spring,
- late summer,
- early fall,
- mid fall
Flower Color & Fragrance:
- Pink,
- White
Shape or Form:
- Multi-stemmed,
- Round
Growth Rate:
- Moderate
Transplants Well:
- Moderate
Wildlife:
- Birds,
- Insect pollinators
More Information:
Tree & Plant Care
Best grown in areas with good drainage. Prefers acid soils.
Disease, pests, and problems
May not grow to its full potential in wet or alkaline soils.
Disease, pest, and problem resistance
Resistant to dogwood anthracnose, powdery mildew and dogwood borer.
Native geographic location and habitat
Of hybrid origin.
Bark color and texture
Bark is gray-brown.
Leaf or needle arrangement, size, shape, and texture
Opposite, simple, rounded leaves with a pointed tip and wavy leaf margins. Veins grow toward tip of leaf without running to the edge. Fall color is reddish-purple.
Flower arrangement, shape, and size
Flowers appear large because of the four white or pink bracts. True flowers are clustered in center of bracts.
Fruit, cone, nut, and seed descriptions
Clusters of bright red fruit ripen in fall. Intermediate in size and shape between the fruit of the two parent trees.
Cultivars and their differences
These cultivars belong to the Stellar® series developed at Rutgers University.
Aurora® (Cornus x rutgersensis 'Rutban') has white floral bracts and flowers very heavily. This is a vigorous grower and has a form that is more spreading than other white-flowered cultivars. Shows good resistance to powdery mildew and dogwood anthracnose. Twenty year old specimens are 20 feet high and wide.
Celestial® (Cornus x rutgersensis 'Rutdan') has creamy white floral bracts and flowers heavily. This is another vigorous cultivar, but with a more upright form. Shows good resistance to powdery mildew and dogwood anthracnose.
Constellation® (Cornus x rutgersensis 'Rutcan') has creamy white floral bracts and flowers heavily. This is another vigorous cultivar, but with a very erect form. Shows good resistance to powdery mildew and dogwood anthracnose. Twenty year old specimens are 20 feet high and 17 feet wide.
Ruth Ellen® (Cornus x rutgersensis 'Rutlan') has brilliant white floral bracts. This is another vigorous cultivar. Shows good resistance to powdery mildew and dogwood anthracnose.
Stardust® (Cornus x rutgersensis 'Rutfan') has white floral bracts. This is vigorous cultivar with a low-branching habit, branching low to the ground. Shows good resistance to powdery mildew and dogwood anthracnose.
Stellar Pink® (Cornus x rutgersensis 'Rutgan') has pink floral bracts. This is a vigorous cultivar with an erect habit. Shows good resistance to powdery mildew and dogwood anthracnose. Twenty year old specimens are 23 feet high and 18 feet wide.