Cornus nuttallii

Common Names

Pacific Dogwood, Mountain Dogwood, Western Dogwood, Pacific Flowering Dogwood, Canadian Dogwood, Dogwood, Western Flowering Dogwood

Summary

Pacific Dogwood is a western North American native deciduous tree with a dense, layered crown, typically 20–40 ft tall. Leaves are opposite and oval; flowers are small and clustered, surrounded by 4–8 large white bracts that create a striking spring display, followed by red to orange fruit and bright fall color.

It grows in moist, well-drained soils and tolerates sun to partial shade; hardy to USDA zones 6a–8b and deer resistant; propagation is by seed in autumn, stratification and sowing in spring, or semi-hardwood cuttings; commonly used as a specimen or in woodland or native plant gardens and in landscape plantings; susceptible to dogwood anthracnose and other diseases; maintain moisture with mulch and regular watering during establishment, and prune to open branching to reduce anthracnose risk.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

20-50 ft

Spread

20-30 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 7-9

Sunlight Requirements

Partial shade to full sun.

Soil Type

Moist, well-drained, organic-rich soil with pH 5.5–6.

Soil Drainage

Moist, well-drained soil

Soil pH

5.5–6.0

Bloom Color

Creamy white, sometimes pink-tinged

Bloom Time

Spring to Summer

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Red, Yellow, Orange

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Moderate growth rate; about 1 foot per year.

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Layering, Root-crown sprouting

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, other pollinators, and birds