Cornus florida Rainbow - Flowering Dogwood

Cornus florida 'Rainbow' is a superb American flowering dogwood, notable for its variegated foliage that changes through the seasons. It is extremely ornamental and produces abundant white flowers that decorate its branches in spring. It is a large deciduous bush that prefers non-calcareous soil, is resistant to cold and well-adapted to hot and humid summers. Interesting for nine months out of twelve, it will make a great impact in the background of a flower bed, as a standalone plant, or in a free hedge.

Cornus florida 'Rainbow' is a cultivar derived from Florida dogwood, a large flowering bush native to regions in the northeast of North America. It belongs to the Cornaceae family. Its growth is relatively slow. This selection will reach an average height of 4.5 m (14.8 ft) and a width of 2.5 m (8.2 ft), sometimes more. Its habit is rather broad-conical, well-branched, erect, and supported by slightly ascending lateral branches on a single or multiple, short, often twisted trunk. It blooms from May in cooler regions, sometimes earlier in warmer climates, just before the appearance of leaves, or simultaneously. Clusters of small yellow-tipped green flowers, ranging from 0.5 cm to 2 cm (0.2 in to 0.8 in) in length, form on the branches, surrounded by 4 large bracts measuring 4 cm (1.6 in), resembling petals. The flowers are initially white with pink spots, before becoming pure white. This flowering, more abundant if temperatures are high in summer, is followed in September-October by the formation of scattered, non-edible red fruits measuring 1 cm (0.4 in) in diameter. The leaves are composed of large, ovate-shaped leaves measuring 10 cm to 15 cm (3.9 in to 5.9 in) in length, often twisted or curled. In spring, they are a light green colour with yellow margins. They gradually take on shades of pink and brick red in summer, and finally turn purple to violet before falling in autumn. Their silver underside forms a beautiful contrast with all these colours. The bark of young branches is greenish, tinged with red on the sun-exposed side. With age, it becomes grey and cracks.

'Rainbow' is a very hardy variety (-20° C (-4° F)) that is better suited to humid climates, which experience fairly warm summers. It requires non-calcareous soil that is deep and remains moist. It is absolutely stunning as a standalone plant, but also looks great in a flower bed or free hedge. It can be paired with other bushes that bloom earlier (Witch Hazel, Star Magnolia), fragrant lilacs, or mock oranges. It also forms a beautiful combination with Black Lace Elder and Ballerina Rose. In an ericaceous soil flower bed, it is a perfect companion for rhododendrons and deciduous azaleas.