Flowering dogwood care guide: when & how to prune, fertilize and spray
Cornus florida / C. kousa · USDA zones 5–9
Native understory tree with spring 'flowers' (bracts), red fall color and berries. It's sensitive to trunk wounds and drought, so prune minimally right after flowering.
☀️ Sun
Part shade (morning sun). Kousa tolerates more sun.
💧 Water
Even moisture. Mulch well; it has shallow roots.
🪱 Soil
pH 5.5–6.5. Rich, acidic, well-drained. Leaf mold or compost.
How and when to prune flowering dogwood
Minimal prune after flowering
When: 4–8 weeks after the last spring frost.
- zones 3–5: about Jun 7 – Jul 5
- zones 6–7: about May 13 – Jun 10
- zones 8–10: about Mar 25 – Apr 22
Dogwoods set next year's flower buds in summer, and pruning wounds in spring attract borers. Prune lightly, right after bloom and in dry weather.
- Remove dead, diseased and crossing branches only.
- Remove water sprouts and root suckers.
- Make clean cuts just outside the branch collar.
Tools: Bypass pruners, Pruning saw
Spraying & disease prevention for flowering dogwood
Anthracnose prevention (wet springs)
When: from 1 week before to 1 week after the last spring frost, then every 2 weeks (3 times a season).
- zones 3–5: about May 3–17
- zones 6–7: about Apr 8–22
- zones 8–10: about Feb 18 – Mar 4
Infection happens as leaves unfold in cool, wet weather.
- Spray at bud break, and again twice at 10–14 day intervals if the weather stays wet.
What to use: 🌿 Copper fungicide (e.g. Bonide Captain Jack's Liquid Copper) · Chlorothalonil (e.g. Daconil Fungicide)
Soil, compost & mulch for flowering dogwood
Refresh mulch
When: 2–6 weeks after the last spring frost.
- zones 3–5: about May 24 – Jun 21
- zones 6–7: about Apr 29 – May 27
- zones 8–10: about Mar 11 – Apr 8
Mulch keeps roots cool and moist, suppresses weeds and slowly feeds the soil. Applying it after the soil warms lets roots wake up first.
- Spread 2–3 in (5–7 cm) of mulch over the root zone.
- Keep mulch 2–3 in (5–7 cm) away from stems and trunks. Mulch piled against bark invites rot and rodents.
- Don't go deeper than 3 in (7 cm) in total. Too much mulch suffocates roots.
What to use: 🌿 Shredded hardwood or pine bark mulch
Other care for flowering dogwood
Autumn cleanup of fallen leaves
When: from the first fall frost to 4 weeks after.
- zones 3–5: about Oct 1–29
- zones 6–7: about Oct 25 – Nov 22
- zones 8–10: about Dec 1–29
Spores of anthracnose overwinter on fallen leaves and splash back up in spring. Removing them is the single best way to prevent next year's outbreak.
- Rake up and remove fallen leaves and dropped fruit from under the plant.
- Bag diseased material or put it in the trash. Don't compost it unless your pile gets hot (140°F/60°C+).
- Cut out any dead or obviously diseased twigs you can see.
Tools: Rake, Bypass pruners
Common flowering dogwood problems and how to fix them
Dogwood anthracnose
Signs: Tan leaf spots with purple edges, lower-branch dieback in wet springs.
What to do: Prune out dead twigs, rake leaves, improve airflow. Chlorothalonil or copper at bud break in wet springs. Kousa dogwood is resistant.
Powdery mildew
Signs: White coating on leaves in summer.
What to do: Resistant cultivars. Potassium bicarbonate.
Dogwood borer
Signs: Sawdust and wet spots at trunk wounds.
What to do: Prevent mower and string-trimmer damage with a wide mulch ring.
Flowering dogwood care FAQ
When should I prune flowering dogwood?
Minimal prune after flowering: 4–8 weeks after the last spring frost (around May 13 – Jun 10 in zones 6–7). Native understory tree with spring 'flowers' (bracts), red fall color and berries. It's sensitive to trunk wounds and drought, so prune minimally right after flowering.
What should I spray on flowering dogwood?
Anthracnose prevention (wet springs) (from 1 week before to 1 week after the last spring frost). Products: Copper fungicide (e.g. Bonide Captain Jack's Liquid Copper); Chlorothalonil (e.g. Daconil Fungicide). Always follow the label.
What soil does flowering dogwood need?
Rich, acidic, well-drained. Preferred pH 5.5–6.5. Leaf mold or compost.
How much sun and water does flowering dogwood need?
Sun: Part shade (morning sun). Kousa tolerates more sun. Water: Even moisture. Mulch well; it has shallow roots.
What are common flowering dogwood problems?
Dogwood anthracnose: Tan leaf spots with purple edges, lower-branch dieback in wet springs. Prune out dead twigs, rake leaves, improve airflow. Chlorothalonil or copper at bud break in wet springs. Kousa dogwood is resistant. Powdery mildew: White coating on leaves in summer. Resistant cultivars. Potassium bicarbonate. Dogwood borer: Sawdust and wet spots at trunk wounds. Prevent mower and string-trimmer damage with a wide mulch ring.
More trees care guides
Timings are given relative to your average frost dates, with examples for typical US climates. Always read and follow product labels.