Deciduous And Flowering Trees
Cloud Nine flowering dogwood
Cornus florida 'Cloud Nine'
Cloud Nine brings a classic spring display of white bracts to a small tree with low, layered branches. Red fruit and reddish-purple autumn foliage extend its interest, while a broad canopy can eventually reach 15 to 30 feet tall and wide. Give it room at a woodland edge or within a generous border. Flowering dogwood needs careful siting in Southwest Washington: summer drought and wet-weather disease can both cause trouble. Choose acidic, moist, well-drained soil, shelter from reflected heat, and good airflow. Mulch, water during dry periods, and protect the trunk from lawn equipment.
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At a glance
- Mature height
- 15–30 ft
- Mature spread
- 15–30 ft
- Light
- Sun to partial shade
- Hardiness
- USDA Zones 5–9
The right plant, the right place
Make room for something good.
Use Cloud Nine as a lawn specimen or a woodland-edge tree. Its low branches form a broad crown, so give it space where the spring flowers and autumn foliage remain visible.
Where to plant
Allow a canopy roughly 15–30 feet wide and protect the trunk from lawn equipment. Sun or partial shade is suitable, with shelter from hot pavement and drying exposure.
Through the seasons
White bracts appear in spring, followed by red fruit. Leaves turn red to reddish purple in autumn before the tree becomes bare.
Southwest Washington gardens
Give it a good start.
Flowering dogwood is susceptible to anthracnose and can suffer during dry Northwest summers. Provide airflow, reliable summer moisture, and protection from heat to reduce stress and disease pressure.
Soil, drainage & water
Acidic, organically rich, moist soil with good drainage is important. Mulch the root area and irrigate during dry weather, directing water toward the soil rather than repeatedly wetting the leaves.
A little care goes a long way
Growing well, season after season.
Avoid trunk injury and keep routine pruning light. Inspect dying branches before removing them, and carry out recommended pruning in dry weather to reduce the risk of further infection.
Know what to look for
Common growing concerns.
Symptoms can have more than one cause. These notes are a starting point for observing your plant and improving its growing conditions.
Anthracnose
Spotted or blighted leaves may be followed by twig dieback and declining branches.
Help your plant thrive
Maintain airflow and avoid unnecessary overhead irrigation. Have persistent dieback assessed, and remove infected material when recommended.
Powdery mildew
A whitish powdery coating can appear on leaves, sometimes with distorted young growth.
Help your plant thrive
Avoid crowding and maintain moisture through dry spells. Inspect repeated infections before deciding whether treatment is needed.
Stress-related decline
Poor growth and dying branches can follow drought, root problems, or trunk injury.
Help your plant thrive
Keep lawn equipment away from the bark. Check drainage and moisture, and maintain mulch over the root area.
A little more inspiration
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