Cornus florida

Planting Conditions and Ideal Location

• Light Requirements: Grows best in full sun to partial shade; partial shade is ideal in hotter regions to protect from leaf scorch.

• Soil Preferences: Prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils with a high organic content.

• pH Range: Performs best in slightly acidic soils (pH 5.5–6.5).

• Moisture Needs: Needs consistent moisture, particularly during the establishment period; avoid waterlogged sites.

• Planting Time: Best planted in spring or autumn to allow root establishment before extremes of temperature.

• Spacing: Space 4–6 metres apart to allow for natural spread and air circulation.

• Positioning Tips: Ideal as a specimen tree in lawns, cottage gardens, or woodland edges where its spring display can be fully appreciated.

• Shelter Needs: Protect from strong, drying winds to keep foliage healthy and blooms long-lasting.

• Container Growing: Young trees can be container-grown for a few years, but long-term growth requires planting in the ground.

Routine Care, Feeding, and Seasonal Maintenance

• Watering:

  • Water regularly during the first 2–3 years.

  • In dry spells, soak deeply once a week to encourage deep root growth.

  • Mulch to retain moisture and reduce weeds.

• Feeding: Apply a slow-release, acid-loving plant fertilizer in early spring, following manufacturer’s instructions.

• Pruning:

  • Minimal pruning needed—best done in late winter or early spring while dormant.

  • Remove damaged, dead, or crossing branches.

  • Avoid heavy pruning as it can reduce flowering.

• Mulching: Apply a 5–8 cm mulch layer of bark or compost around the base each spring, keeping mulch away from the trunk to prevent rot.

• Pest and Disease Resistance: Generally healthy, but may occasionally be affected by dogwood anthracnose, powdery mildew, or scale insects—improve air circulation and treat promptly if needed.

• Winter Care: Fully hardy in most UK and Irish gardens; in very exposed sites, young trees may benefit from wind protection during their first few winters.

• Weed Control: Keep the root zone clear of weeds and grass for best growth and nutrient uptake.

Ornamental Features, Seasonal Interest, and Garden Uses

• Flowers: In spring, produces large, showy bracts (often mistaken for petals) in shades of white or pale pink surrounding small, true flowers.

• Foliage: Medium-green leaves in summer turn shades of red, purple, and orange in autumn.

• Berries: Bright red berries appear in late summer to autumn, providing food for birds.

• Form: Small deciduous tree with a rounded crown and layered branching pattern.

• Growth Rate and Size: Slow to moderate growth; typically reaches 6–8 metres tall with a spread of 5–6 metres.

• Wildlife Benefits: Flowers attract pollinators, berries feed birds, and dense branching offers nesting sites.

• Ornamental Value: Offers four seasons of interest—spring blooms, summer shade, autumn colour, and winter branch structure.

• Garden Design Uses:

  • Specimen planting in lawns or front gardens.

  • Mixed borders for seasonal colour.

  • Woodland or naturalistic planting for wildlife support.

• Seasonal Appeal: Exceptional spring flowering, rich autumn colours, and decorative berries for year-round charm.

• Longevity: Long-lived when given the right conditions, developing into a striking mature specimen ove

• Size
  10 Ltr pot

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

Standard Delivery is FREE on orders over €250*

All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

Live Plants Delivery

Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

Click & Collect

Can’t wait for delivery? Why not try our FREE Click & Collect service? Simply make your purchase online and collect it from our store located in Croagh Co. Limerick. Our staff will contact you by phone when your order is ready for collection (Please allow 24 hours minimum). When collecting your item, call the store on 069-64084. We will then load into your car as required. This service is available in-store 9am – 6pm Monday – Saturday (No collections on Sundays)

Click here for more information about our shipping conditions.

You can pay your online order either by credit card or via Paypal.
If you have any further questions about the online order payment please contact us via ­069 640 84 or mail.