treeN. America Native

Pacific Dogwood

Cornus nuttallii

The Story

Plant Bio

Cornus nuttallii, commonly called Pacific dogwood, is a deciduous understory tree native to western North America with an upright, rounded crown and distinctively horizontal, tiered branching architecture. In mid to late spring, dense central clusters of tiny purple-green flowers are framed by four to eight showy, petal-like white bracts.

This species typically features six large white floral bracts rather than four and often produces a light secondary bloom flush in early fall. The dark green leaves turn striking shades of yellow, orange, and red in autumn alongside bright red-orange aggregate fruits.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides large white spring floral bracts, tiered horizontal branching, red autumn fruit, and yellow-to-red fall foliage.

Functions as a striking native accent or specimen tree for partially shaded woodland beds.

Attracts hummingbirds and native bees with nectar, while autumn fruits feed songbirds and small mammals.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Tree

Height

472"

Width

354"

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

7, 8, 9

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

North America

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Mid spring – Late spring

In flower about 2 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting location in full sun to partial shade, prioritizing afternoon shade in warmer inland regions.
Prepare the planting area with organically rich, acidic to neutral soil that provides sharp drainage.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the container and set the root crown level with or slightly above the surrounding soil grade.
Backfill gently without compacting the root zone and water thoroughly to settle the soil.
Apply a 2 to 4 inch layer of organic mulch around the root zone, keeping the mulch clear of the main trunk.

Pro Tip

Plant in rich, sharply draining acidic soil with afternoon shade in hot climates, and completely avoid root disturbance once established.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Apply an organic mulch layer annually to keep the root zone cool and moist.
Prune only during late summer or early fall after growth flushes to minimize bleeding and fungal entry.
Provide supplemental irrigation during extended dry spells while maintaining high drainage.

Don't

Do not plant in heavy, waterlogged, or compacted clay soils.
Do not use overhead irrigation, which wets foliage and encourages dogwood anthracnose.
Do not cut back heavily into old, leafless wood.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Mulch
Pest Check
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Understory PlantingSpecimen TreeNative GardenWoodland Garden

Companion Plants

Acer circinatum Polystichum munitum Rhododendron macrophyllum

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Pacific Dogwood questions

What zones can Pacific Dogwood grow in?

Pacific Dogwood is hardy in USDA Zones 7–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Pacific Dogwood deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse Pacific Dogwood, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

When does Pacific Dogwood bloom?

Pacific Dogwood typically blooms in mid spring through late spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Pacific Dogwood need full sun?

Pacific Dogwood does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.