Species flowering dogwood
white-beige flowers with yellow-lime center, green foliage and stems

flowering dogwood

Cornus florida 'Daybreak'

The Flowering Dogwood, (Cornus florida 'Daybreak'), is an amazing plant. Its distinct and colorful bracts give it a unique look. Not to mention its white flowers in the spring, vibrant green leaves in the summer, and red and purplish foliage in the fall. It's a stunning sight! The bracts and the flowers jointly form the showy blooms which contrast with the evergreen foliage and fruit in the late summer. The brilliant fall hues of its leaves are what makes it even more remarkable. It creates a beautiful backdrop for any garden. On top of all this, it is also a beneficial plant, attracting birds and butterflies to any garden.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Grafting Propagation,Cutting,Layering Propagation,Air Layering Propagation,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

6

Flowers:

White (bracts) Flowers In Spring

Sun:

Full sun, Part sun/part shade

Soil:

Acidic, Well-drained

Fruits:

red Fruits In Autumn Ready In Fall

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,red,yellow,purple

Growth Rate:

Moderate

Maintenance:

Moderate

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Water flowering dogwood (Cornus florida 'Daybreak') when the top inch of soil starts to feel dry to the touch- usually once to twice a week. Water thoroughly; making sure the entire root system of the plant gets soaked. Avoid frequent light waterings as this can lead to weakened root systems. Also be aware of the temperature- if it's very hot outside, your plant may need to be watered more often. In general, it's best to water your dogwood in the morning as wet leaves can be susceptible to mildew.

sunlight

The flowering dogwood (Cornus florida 'Daybreak') requires full sun to partial shade; it prefers at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. The direct sunlight helps the plant to create its vibrant blooms. When planted in overly shaded areas, the flowering dogwood will not reach its full potential. During the summer months, it is best to provide the flowering dogwood with partial shade in the afternoon when temperatures are the highest.

pruning

Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida 'Daybreak') is a tree that benefits from annual pruning. Pruning should take place in the early spring, just before the new growth emerges. This allows the plant to form new buds and branches and encourages the flowering cycle. First, remove any dead, diseased, or damaged branches. This will promote better overall health for the tree. Next, thin out any crossing or rubbing branches. Doing this will help airflow and sunlight reach their desired areas of the tree. Finally, selectively prune back branches that are too long or too close to each other. This will help the flowering dogwood to maintain its natural shape and encourage more vigorous flowering. It's best to avoid heavy pruning of flowering dogwood and to only remove 1/3 of the branches in a single season. Doing so will ensure that the plant maintains its natural shape and can bloom and thrive.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Harvest Fruit

The best time to start harvesting the fruits from Cornus florida 'Daybreak' is in late summer and early fall, typically between August and October.

Starts Flowering

Flowering dogwood typically starts flowering in late March or early April.

Harvest Fruit

The best time to start harvesting the fruits from Cornus florida 'Daybreak' is in late summer and early fall, typically between August and October.

Hardiness Map