One of the most popular and useful trees for landscaping is the dogwood. Dogwoods can make any outdoor space better with their beautiful flowers, bright leaves, graceful shape, and year-round interest.
In this article, we’ll explore some creative ways to incorporate dogwood trees into your landscape design. Whether you want a focal point specimen, ornamental hedge, wildlife habitat, or seasonal color, dogwoods offer endless possibilities.
Why Choose Dogwoods for Your Landscape
There are many reasons dogwood trees are a top pick for gardens and yards:
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Provide four-season appeal with flowers, foliage, fall color, and winter form.
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Available in diverse sizes and growth habits, from understory trees to large shade trees.
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Tolerate a range of soil, moisture, sun exposure, and climate conditions.
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Offer wildlife benefits with nectar, pollen, berries, and shelter.
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Complement many garden styles from formal to naturalistic.
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Relatively low maintenance once established in the right site.
Because dogwoods are so flexible, it’s easy to find one that’s perfect for your needs.
Best Dogwood Species for Landscaping
There are more than 50 different species in the genus Cornus, which includes everything from 20-foot trees to short shrubs. The following are some of the best dogwood trees for landscaping:
Flowering Dogwood: The classic spring flowering tree with showy white or pink bracts. Ideal for specimen planting.
Kousa Dogwood: Prolific summer bloomer with unique star-shaped flowers. Disease resistant and compact form.
Red Twig Dogwood has yellow flowers in the spring and bright red stems in the winter. Excellent for color and erosion control.
Pagoda Dogwood: Horizontally branching structure offers elegant form. White spring blooms.
Cornelian Cherry Dogwood: Early yellow flowers and red fruit. Attracts birds. Thrives in shade.
Silky Dogwood: Fast-growing with blue berries loved by wildlife. Good for hedges and screens.
Design Ideas for Showcasing Dogwoods
Now that you know the diversity dogwood trees offer, let’s look at some specific ways to highlight their assets in your landscape:
Woodland Garden with Naturalized Plantings
Blend multiple varieties of dogwood alongside ferns, hostas, astilbe and other woodland perennials. Use meandering gravel or stone pathways to enhance the natural aesthetic. Dogwoods planted in drifts or groupings work beautifully for this style.
Focal Point Specimen Planting
Plant one dogwood as a standout feature in your front yard or other prominent location. Underplant with groundcovers or bulbs, and use strategically placed hardscaping like boulders or benches to really make it shine. Flowering dogwood is ideal for this purpose.
Mix with Evergreens for Year-Round Interest
Combine deciduous dogwoods with evergreen trees, shrubs, and perennials. The contrast in foliage and form creates added intrigue during the winter when dogwoods are bare. Ideal evergreen companions include hollies, boxwood, pines, and spruces.
Shade Tree Near Patios and Decks
Situate larger dogwood varieties with spreading canopies near outdoor living spaces to provide shade and seasonal beauty to enjoy. Kousa and pagoda dogwoods are two excellent choices. Underplant with shade perennials.
Ornamental Hedge or Screening
Use bushy dogwood shrubs to create an informal living screen or flowering hedge border. Space plants 3 to 5 feet apart depending on mature size. Red twig and silky dogwood are ideal hedge plants.
Layered Borders Along Fences or Walls
Plant dogwoods backed by vertical structures like fences, trellises, or stone walls. The layered effect looks especially striking when they’re in bloom. Underplant with lower-growing perennials and groundcovers.
Woodland Edge Transition Planting
Use dogwoods to create a graceful transition zone along the edges of wooded areas. Combining with native azaleas, ferns, and wildflowers enhances the natural effect. Dogwoods help connect the landscape visually.
Container Planting for Patios and Entryways
Select compact and dwarf dogwood varieties well-suited for pots and planters. Position near seating areas, gates, or front entrances to add seasonal color and natural charm. Provide well-drained soil and regular watering.
Edible Landscaping with Fruited Varieties
Some dogwood species produce edible fruits that attract birds. Plant these in dual purpose edible landscapes combined with fruit trees, berries, and ornamental edibles. Examples include cornelian cherry, bunchberry, and pagoda dogwood.
Design Tips for Showcasing Dogwoods
Follow these tips to ensure your dogwood thrives and stands out as a focal point:
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Properly prepare the planting site based on soil, sun, and drainage requirements.
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Use mulch around the tree to maintain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
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Prune selectively to enhance the tree’s natural shape and growth habit.
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Strategically place companion plants, hardscapes and garden art to complement it.
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Illuminate specimens near patios or entries with landscape lighting.
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Water regularly until the tree establishes an extensive root system.
With their multidimensional appeal and versatility, dogwood trees are one of the most rewarding choices for gardens large and small. Use these design ideas as inspiration to highlight dogwoods in your own landscape. Let their beauty shine in your outdoor space!
Cornus Kousa ‘Summer Gold’ and Cornus Controversa ‘June Snow’.
Colorful Summer Privacy Tree for Small Properties – Korean Dogwood ‘Summer Gold’
I love ‘Summer Gold’ partially because it’s so different from other dogwoods. ‘Summer Gold’ has narrow bright green and gold leaves and an upright narrow shape. The shape fits into urban settings much better than a round headed typical dogwood. The foliage will be a delight from spring into fall and this tree is a narrow vase shape perfect to put between your patio and the neighbors to achieve attractive privacy.
Traditional dogwoods (Cornus Florida and Cornus Kousa) have a wide oval solid green leaf and a 20′ or more wide round canopy. ‘Summer Gold’ was created by local Crispin Silva who is a delight. His curiosity and enthusiasm about plants has inspired many people in Portland including me. People here refer to his plants as “Crispin’s Creations”.
Venus Dogwood – Flowering Tree – Landscaping Ideas, Eichenlaub
FAQ
What pairs well with a dogwood tree?
Combine with companion plants: Plant your dogwood tree alongside shade-loving plants like hostas, ferns, astilbes, or hydrangeas. This will create a visually interesting and diverse garden space. Be mindful of the plants’ growth habits and spacing needs to ensure all plants thrive.
What is the hidden downside to planting a dogwood tree in your yard?
Dogwoods are especially prone to pests when their health is already suffering from leaf spot, twig blight, canker, or a fatal ailment such as dogwood anthracnose. Vulnerabilities like these make dogwoods hard to keep alive, plus they’re fussy about sunlight and water.
What does Epsom salt do for dogwood trees?
Epsom salts contain magnesium, which can be a beneficial nutrient for a dogwood tree as it promotes chlorophyll production.
How close to house to plant dogwood tree?
Plant your Dogwood tree about 15-20 feet away from your home or any fencing. This distance provides enough room for the tree’s mature canopy and protects the roots from any underground home utilities.