Overview

Introduce classic American beauty to your landscape with this 2-pack of white flowering dogwood bare root seedling. Each offering features an 18-inch tall, lightly branched bare root seedling of Cornus florida, commonly known as the flowering dogwood. This iconic tree is celebrated for its breathtaking white bracts that emerge in spring, providing a spectacular display before its leaves fully unfurl. Native to eastern North America, the flowering dogwood plant is a beloved choice for its ornamental appeal, interesting bark structure, and vibrant fall foliage, making it a standout addition to any garden or yard. Planting bare root seedlings is an economical and effective way to establish these magnificent trees, allowing them to acclimate and thrive in their new environment. Get ready to enjoy the timeless elegance and natural charm that a dogwood tree for sale brings to your outdoor space.

The Cornus florida tree is a symbol of spring, known for its distinctive four-petal-like bracts that surround a cluster of small, true flowers. Beyond its floral display, the tree offers year-round interest with its layered branches, attractive ridged bark, and bright red berries that follow the blooms, providing a valuable food source for birds. These bare root dogwood seedlings are carefully prepared for shipping, ensuring they arrive in optimal condition for successful planting and growth in your garden.

Key Benefits

Investing in a white flowering dogwood bare root seedling offers numerous advantages for your garden and local ecosystem. These trees are not only visually appealing but also contribute to biodiversity and property value.

• Stunning Spring Blooms: Enjoy a magnificent display of large, pristine white bracts in early to mid-spring, creating a focal point in your landscape. The flowering dogwood plant is renowned for its showy floral appeal that signals the arrival of warmer weather.
• Year-Round Interest: Beyond its spring flowers, the Cornus florida tree provides visual appeal with its attractive layered branching, unique bark texture, and vibrant red berries in fall, followed by rich crimson-purple fall foliage.
• Supports Wildlife: The bright red fruits produced in late summer and fall are a vital food source for many bird species, including robins, cardinals, and bluebirds, enhancing your garden’s ecological value.
• Native Species: As a native tree to North America, the white flowering dogwood bare root seedling is well-adapted to local climates and soils, requiring less intervention once established compared to non-native alternatives.
• Landscape Versatility: Suitable for a variety of landscape designs, from specimen trees in a lawn to understory planting in a woodland garden, or as part of a mixed border. This dogwood tree for sale can fit into many garden styles.
• Increased Property Value: Well-established, healthy ornamental trees like the flowering dogwood can significantly enhance the curb appeal and overall value of your home.
• Bare Root Advantage: Planting bare root dogwood seedlings allows for quicker establishment and often results in healthier, more vigorous growth compared to potted plants, as they experience less transplant shock.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your white flowering dogwood bare root seedling is crucial for its successful establishment and long-term health. These trees generally prefer specific conditions to thrive and produce their iconic blooms. The Cornus florida tree is relatively low-maintenance once established, but proper initial care is key.

For optimal growth, plant your flowering dogwood plant in a location that receives partial shade, especially in hotter climates. While it can tolerate full sun, afternoon shade helps protect it from scorching. Aim for a spot with 4-6 hours of morning sun and protection from intense afternoon rays. The soil should be well-draining, rich in organic matter, and slightly acidic (pH 5.5-6.5). Avoid heavy, compacted clay soils or overly sandy soils. When planting your bare root dogwood, dig a hole wide enough to accommodate the roots without bending them, and deep enough so that the root collar is level with the ground. Backfill with a mixture of native soil and compost, gently tamping down to remove air pockets.

Watering is critical during the first few years after planting. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Deep watering once or twice a week, depending on rainfall and temperature, is generally sufficient. Reduce watering in cooler months. Fertilize sparingly; an annual application of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer formulated for acid-loving plants in early spring can be beneficial. Pruning should be done in late winter or early spring while the tree is dormant, focusing on removing dead, damaged, or crossing branches to maintain a strong structure. Monitor for common pests like dogwood borers and diseases such as dogwood anthracnose, which can be managed with proper cultural practices and, if necessary, targeted treatments. The dogwood tree for sale is a beautiful investment that will reward you with years of enjoyment with proper care.

Size & Details

This offering includes two white flowering dogwood bare root seedling plants, each measuring approximately 18 inches in height. These bare root specimens are lightly branched, providing a strong foundation for future growth. Once established, a mature Cornus florida tree typically reaches a height of 15-30 feet with a spread of 15-25 feet, developing a beautiful, rounded to flat-topped crown. The growth rate is moderate, usually adding about 12-24 inches per year under ideal conditions. These bare root seedlings are shipped without soil or a pot, making them lightweight and easy to plant upon arrival. They are ready to be planted directly into your garden in the appropriate season, usually spring or fall, allowing their root systems to quickly establish.

The flowering dogwood plant is known for its relatively compact size compared to other shade trees, making it an excellent choice for smaller yards or as an understory tree in larger landscapes. You can expect the first significant blooms to appear within 3-5 years after planting, with the tree becoming more floriferous as it matures. The bare root dogwood form ensures that the plant focuses its energy on root development immediately after planting, leading to a robust and healthy tree.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big will my white flowering dogwood bare root seedling grow? A: A mature Cornus florida tree typically reaches a height of 15-30 feet with a spread of 15-25 feet. The 18-inch bare root seedlings provided will grow into a substantial ornamental tree over time, offering a beautiful presence in your garden.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The flowering dogwood plant is an outdoor tree. It requires a significant amount of space to grow and thrives in garden settings, providing shade and ornamental beauty. It is not suitable for indoor cultivation.
• Q: How much sunlight does a dogwood tree for sale need? A: Flowering dogwoods prefer partial shade, ideally receiving 4-6 hours of morning sun and protection from intense afternoon heat. In cooler climates, they can tolerate more sun, but afternoon shade is beneficial.
• Q: Is this bare root dogwood easy to care for? A: Yes, once established, the flowering dogwood is considered relatively low-maintenance. The most critical care involves consistent watering during its establishment period and proper site selection.
• Q: What condition will the bare root seedlings arrive in? A: Your white flowering dogwood bare root seedling will arrive dormant, without leaves or soil, with its roots carefully packed to retain moisture. This is the standard and healthiest way to ship bare root plants for successful transplanting.
• Q: When is the best time to plant this flowering dogwood plant? A: The ideal times to plant bare root dogwood seedlings are in early spring after the last frost or in late fall after leaf drop, before the ground freezes. This allows the roots to establish before extreme temperatures.
• Q: What USDA zones are suitable for this Cornus florida tree? A: The flowering dogwood is hardy in USDA Zones 5-9. It can withstand a range of winter temperatures and thrives in many different regions across the US.
• Q: Will these seedlings produce flowers in the first year? A: It is unlikely for a bare root dogwood to produce significant blooms in its first year. Typically, it takes 3-5 years for the tree to establish and begin flowering consistently.
• Q: What kind of soil does this dogwood tree for sale prefer? A: It prefers well-draining, organically rich, and slightly acidic soil. Avoid heavy clay or overly sandy conditions. Amending with compost can greatly improve soil structure and nutrient content.
• Q: Are the berries on the flowering dogwood edible? A: While the red berries are attractive to birds, they are not typically consumed by humans. They are considered mildly toxic and can cause digestive upset if ingested.