Cornus florida Cloud Nine - Flowering Dogwood

The Cornus Florida 'Cloud Nine' is a particularly floriferous variety of the Flowering Dogwood, also known as the Florida Dogwood. This large and beautiful deciduous bush stands out with its conical habit, supported by layered branches that disappear in spring under a profusion of tiny green flowers surrounded by large white-cream bracts arranged in clusters or balls. The red berries that follow are also very decorative in late summer and autumn, when the foliage turns various shades of orange and purple. It makes a very beautiful specimen when planted alone, in a small garden, or when associated with other bushes in a large setting such as a natural hedge or a group of bushes.

The Cornus florida is a large flowering bush native to regions in the northeast of North America, belonging to the dogwood family. 'Cloud Nine' will reach an average height of 4 to 5m (16 to 5ft) (sometimes up to 7m (23ft)) and a spread of 2 to 3m (9 to 10ft) in our climates. Its habit is a rather broadened cone formed by a crown of side branches growing horizontally from the single trunk, often twisted. From May in, cool regions, sometimes earlier in mild climates, clusters of small moss green flowers with yellow tips, ranging from 0.5 to 2cm (0.8in) in length, form just before the leaves appear or simultaneously. They are arranged in clusters (glomerules) and are surrounded by 4 large bracts, 4cm (1.6in) long, similar to petals, which overlap and are white to slightly cream-coloured. This flowering, particularly abundant even in young plants, is even more so if temperatures are high in summer. It is followed in September-October by the formation of scattered, non-edible red fruits, 1cm (0.4in) in diameter. The deciduous foliage is composed of green leaves margined with white which take on beautiful autumn colours. The leaves measure from 10 to 15cm (5.9in) in length and are wide, ovate, and pointed. They are often twisted or curled. The bark of young twigs and branches is greenish, tinged with red on the side exposed to the sun. With age, it becomes grey and cracks.

The flowering dogwood is a very hardy species (-20°C (-4°F)) that is better suited to humid climates, which still experience fairly hot summers. It is interesting when planted alone in small gardens, but also works well in flowerbeds and natural hedges. It can be associated with other early-flowering bushes (Witch Hazel, Star Magnolia), fragrant and perpetual lilacs from the Bloomerang series, or mock oranges. In an ericaceous bed, it is a perfect companion for rhododendrons and deciduous azaleas.

The shallow root system of this dogwood remains just below the surface of the soil, making it sensitive to soil hardening and compaction, flooding, and digging or mechanical equipment. It is therefore advisable to regularly apply organic mulch around the base of this bush and avoid any planting at its roots.