Cornus florida Rubra - Flowering Dogwood

The Cornus florida 'Rubra' is a horticultural form with deep pink "flowers" of the American flowering dogwood, introduced to Europe in 1847. Although not widely represented in our gardens, this large shrub or small tree is considered one of the most beautiful flowering trees in North America. While its cultivation has some specific requirements it thrives in a non-chalky soil offering a very beautiful bright pink flowering in spring, like large butterflies spread out on the branches with a Japanese appearance. The foliage changes in autumn, invaded by shades of scarlet to purple. It makes a very beautiful subject in isolation, in a small garden, or associated in a large ensemble like a free hedge or a grove of shrubs.

The Cornus florida is a large shrub with flowers native to regions located in northeastern North America, belonging to the cornaceae family. 'Rubra', its pink-tinted form, will reach about 6m (19ft 8in) in height by 5m (16ft 5in) in width. Its habit is rather conical and enlarged, formed by a crown of lateral branches growing horizontally from the single, often twisted, trunk. Starting in May in cool regions, sometimes earlier in mild climates, clusters of small moss-green flowers with yellow tips, measuring 0.5 to 2cm (0.8in) in length, form just before the appearance of the leaves or simultaneously. They are gathered in bunches (glomerules) and are surrounded by 4 large, deep pink bracts similar to petals, 4cm (1.6in) long. This flowering is more abundant if temperatures are high in summer, and 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, taking on beautiful autumnal 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 branches and twigs is greenish, tinged with red on their sun-exposed side. With age, it turns grey and cracks.

The 'Rubra' flowering dogwood is a very hardy species (-20°C (-4°F)) that prefers non-chalky soil and is better suited to humid climates, with fairly hot summers. It is interesting as a single specimen for small gardens but also works well in borders and natural hedges. It can be associated with other early flowering shrubs (Hamamelis, Magnolia stellata), 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.

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