Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
Price range: Contact Us
Rating: 4.8/5

cornus florida varieties

If you’re searching for beautiful and diverse cornus florida varieties to enhance your New Zealand garden, you’re in the right place. The flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) is famed for its stunning spring blossoms, attractive foliage, and year-round interest. Whether you’re planting a specimen tree, designing a pollinator-friendly landscape, or looking for unique colour in a shady spot, there’s a cornus florida variety to suit every need. On this page, we explore the most popular cornus florida varieties, highlight their distinguishing features, and help you discover how to make the most of these garden treasures.

Cornus florida 'Spring Song'

Cornus florida 'Spring Song' is a deciduous shrub grown for its colourful flowering in spring. At this time, masses of showy, rose-pink flowers are borne just as the foliage emerges. The glossy, young leaves are green with bronze overtones and quickly age to become dark green.

Buy Cornus florida 'Spring Song'

From $340.69

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Shrubs

Height: 3.00 m

Spread: 3.00 m

Flowering time: Spring

Tolerances: Hardy

Garden uses: Living areas, Parks, Specimen

Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern

Cornus 'Stokes Pink'

Cornus 'Stokes Pink' is a deciduous shrub grown for its colourful flowering in spring. At this time, masses of showy, two-tone pink flowers are borne just as the foliage emerges. The glossy leaves emerge green with bronze overtones, quickly age to become dark green, then develop colourful red tones before falling.

Buy Cornus 'Stokes Pink'

From $270.40

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Shrubs

Height: 3.00 m

Spread: 3.00 m

Flowering time: Spring

Tolerances: Hardy

Garden uses: Living areas, Parks, Specimen

Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Cottage, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern

What Makes Cornus florida Varieties Special?

Cornus florida varieties are admired for their spectacular floral displays, typically in spring, with colours ranging from pristine white to rich pinks and purples. They also offer vibrant autumn foliage, striking bark, and red berries that attract native birds. These trees are well-suited to New Zealand conditions, especially in semi-shaded gardens or along woodland edges. Selecting the right variety can provide interest and structure throughout the year, and many options have been specially bred for improved disease resistance or enhanced colour.

Popular Cornus florida Varieties in New Zealand

Cornus florida 'Purple Glory'

This sensational selection delivers deep purple-pink blooms that stand out against lush green leaves. Cornus florida 'Purple Glory' is ideal if you want a bold spring statement and attractive autumn colour. It’s a reliable grower, perfect for bringing new life to shady corners or as a colourful specimen in mixed borders.

Cornus florida 'Rainbow'

Known for its striking, variegated foliage and delicate blossoms, Cornus florida 'Rainbow' adds dappled light and subtle interest to garden beds. This variety’s leaves feature cream and green patterns, making it a favourite for gardeners wanting year-round visual appeal. Its soft flowers and autumn hues are a bonus.

Cornus florida 'Old Gold'

A true collector’s gem, Cornus florida 'Old Gold' features golden-green foliage with a luminous shine. Its brilliant spring flowers and distinctive leaf colour are perfect for brightening shaded spots or complementing other woodland plants. This variety stands out for its unique foliar shades and reliable performance.

Cornus 'Stokes Pink'

Though not a direct Cornus florida, Cornus 'Stokes Pink' brings soft pink blossoms and a graceful habit that blends beautifully with other dogwoods. This shrub provides another shade-loving option, and its gentle flowers help diversify your palette of cornus florida varieties and related species.

Classic Cornus florida

For gardeners who appreciate tradition, Cornus florida is the original and most loved species. Its four-petaled, creamy-white flowers and classic shape make it a timeless favourite in New Zealand gardens. It’s prized for its adaptability and understated elegance, working well as a standalone tree or part of a larger planting scheme.

Choosing and Growing Cornus florida Varieties

When selecting cornus florida varieties for your landscape, consider the site’s light, soil type, and desired seasonal colour. These trees prefer partial shade and well-drained soil, providing reliable blooms and attractive foliage with minimal upkeep. Their moderate size makes them ideal for urban gardens, rural sections, and woodland plantings alike.

Find Your Perfect Cornus florida Variety

Ready to discover which cornus florida varieties are best for your garden? Explore our curated collection to find trees and shrubs that match your style—whether you crave vibrant purple, golden foliage, or classic white flowers. With the right selection, your garden will shine in every season.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

cornus florida varieties

Cornus florida 'Spring Song'

Cornus 'Stokes Pink'

Did you find what you are looking for?

What Makes Cornus florida Varieties Special?