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dogwood tree new zealand

If you’re searching for the perfect dogwood tree in New Zealand, you’re in good company. Dogwoods are cherished ornamental trees, prized for their striking flowers, vibrant autumn foliage, and year-round garden interest. Whether you dream of a standout specimen tree or a multi-season favourite for your landscape, the dogwood tree offers exceptional beauty and versatility for New Zealand gardens. But with so many varieties and unique growing conditions around the country, finding the right dogwood tree for your space means considering factors such as your local climate, site conditions, and aesthetic goals.

A Cornus controversa (Giant Dogwood) specimen tree.

Cornus controversa

Cornus controversa, commonly known as the Giant Dogwood, is a medium-sized, deciduous tree that features lush foliage that emerges mid-green in spring, ages to become dark green, then develops colourful red and purple tones in autumn before falling.

From $383.29

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Trees
Height: 10.00 m
Spread: 6.00 m
Flowering time: Summer
Garden uses: Parks, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, Frontyard, Japanese
Cornus stolonifera 'Flaviramea' plants with yellow stems.

Cornus stolonifera 'Flaviramea'

Cornus stolonifera Flaviramea, commonly known as the Yellow Stem Dogwood, is a shrub that features bright yellow stems which become more pronounced in winter. The leaves emerge dark green in spring, and remain this colour until developing red tones in autumn and falling.

From $270.40

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 2.50 m
Spread: 1.00 m
Flowering time: Spring, Summer
Tolerances: Hardy
Garden uses: Hedging, Living areas
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
Cornus 'Eddies White Wonder' white flowers held on trailing stems.
Cornus 'Eddie's White Wonder'

Cornus 'Eddie's White Wonder' is a deciduous dogwood tree renowned for its impressive spring blossoms and vibrant autumn foliage. This hybrid...

From$340.69
Cornus alba 'Sibirica' new spring foliage with white flowers.
Cornus alba 'Sibirica'

Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’, commonly known as Siberian Dogwood, is a striking deciduous shrub ideal for New Zealand gardens. It is prized for its vivid...

From$34.43
A Cornus 'Cloud 9' specimen tree with masses of white flowers.
Cornus 'Cloud 9'

Cornus 'Cloud 9' produces masses of showy, single, white flowers through spring, which are followed by clusters of red fruit in autumn. The foliage...

From$270.40
Cornus 'Spring Song' rose-pink flowers.
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...

From$340.69
Cornus 'Milky Way' specimen tree covered in masses of white flowers.
Cornus kousa 'Milky Way'

Cornus kousa 'Milky Way' features large and showy, white flowers that adorn the tree in spring and are followed by red berries in autumn. The glossy...

From$340.69
Cornus 'National' specimen tree with masses of cream-coloured flowers.
Cornus kousa National

Cornus kousa 'National' is a deciduous tree that features large and showy, cream white flowers in spring, which are followed by red berries in...

From$270.40
Myoporum laetum (Ngaio) tree with lush foliage and white flowers growing in a coastal location.
Myoporum laetum (Ngaio)

Myoporum laetum, commonly known as Ngaio, is a NZ native tree grown for its lush foliage and showy flowers. It features large, fleshy, green leaves...

From$28.91
A Parrotia persica 'Pendula' specimen tree with pendulous green foliage.
Parrotia persica pendula (Weeping Persian Ironwood)

Parrotia persica 'Pendula', commonly known as the Weeping Persian Ironwood, is a tree grown for its fantastic autumn colours and weeping growth...

From$270.40
sorbus-scarlet-king-
Sorbus aucuparia Scarlet King (Rowan Tree NZ)

Sorbus aucuparia Scarlet King is a variety of the commonly known, Mountain Ash, and is a small-sized, deciduous with impressive characteristics...

From$387.55
taxodium-cascade-falls-
Taxodium distichum Cascade Falls

Taxodium distichum Cascade Falls is a variety of the commonly known, Swamp Cypress, and is a fabulous weeping tree that will tolerate heavy soils...

From$387.55
magnolia-campbellii-charles-raffill-2
Magnolia Charles Raffill (Magnolia campbellii Charles Raffill)

Magnolia campbellii Charles Raffill is a deciduous tree that bears masses of large and showy, pink and white flowers in spring. The lovely blooms are...

From$515.35
Metrosideros excelsa (Pohutukawa) specimen tree with masses of red flowers in a coastal location.
Metrosideros excelsa (Pōhutukawa)

Metrosideros excelsa, commonly known as Pōhutukawa or the New Zealand Christmas Tree, is a coastal evergreen renowned for its brilliant red flowers...

From$24.15
magnolia-soulangeana-heaven-scent-2
Magnolia Heaven Scent (Magnolia soulangeana Heaven Scent)

Magnolia soulangeana Heaven Scent is a deciduous tree that bears masses of large and showy, pink flowers through late winter and early spring. These...

From$387.55
Dacrydium cupressinum (Rimu) tree juvenile foliage.
Dacrydium cupressinum (Rimu Tree)

Dacrydium cupressinum, commonly known as Rimu or Red Pine, is an iconic and slow-growing tree. The juvenile form features drooping branches densely...

From$99.29
tree-and-shrub-fertiliser-
Tree Fertiliser (Tree Fertiliser)

Using tree fertiliser results in plants having better quality foliage, more profuse flowering, stronger stems, and a much healthier and brighter...

From$13.40
acer-princeton-gold-
Acer platanoides Princeton Gold (Princeton Gold Maple Tree)

Acer platanoides Princeton Gold is a variety of the commonly known, Plane-Leaved Maple, and is a medium sized tree with fantastic foliage. The leaves...

From$349.95
Melia azedarach tree.
Melia azedarach (Bead Tree)

Melia azedarach (Bead Tree, White Cedar) is a graceful deciduous tree valued for its attractive fern like foliage, fragrant clusters of lilac...

From$387.55
Tabebuia rosea tree with masses of pink flowers.
Tabebuia rosea (Pink Poui)

Tabebuia rosea is a spectacular flowering tree admired for its masses of soft pink trumpet shaped blooms that appear before the foliage in spring...

From$65.55
Hoheria sextylosa (Lacebark) branch with masses of white flowers and green foliage.
Hoheria sextylosa (Lacebark)

Hoheria sextylosa, commonly known as Lacebark or the Lace Bark Tree, is a quick growing, NZ native tree. The bark has a lace like appearance, hence...

From$323.65
acer-esk-sunset-
Acer Esk Sunset (Eskimo Sunset Maple)

Acer pseudoplatanus Esk Sunset, commonly known as the Eskimo Sunset Sycamore Maple, is grown for its rich and colourful foliage. The lush leaves on...

From$299.95
cedrela-sinensis-flamingo-7
Cedrela sinensis 'Flamingo' (Toon Tree)

Cedrela sinensis 'Flamingo' (Toon Tree) is a spectacular deciduous tree prized for its striking flushes of vibrant pink foliage that mature through...

From$28.91
schinus-molle-3
Schinus molle (Peruvian Peppercorn)

Schinus molle (California Pepper Tree) is an elegant evergreen tree admired for its graceful weeping branches, fine textured foliage, and attractive...

From$281.05
Nestegis montana narrow green leaves on a tree.
Nestegis montana (Narrow-Leaved Maire)

Nestegis montana is a hardy and attractive native tree of New Zealand, known for its upright growth habit and glossy green foliage. This evergreen...

From$270.40
ulmus-lobel-
Ulmus Lobel (Dutch Elm Tree)

Ulmus Lobel is a variety of Dutch Elm tree grown for its colourful foliage and narrow form. The leaves emerge a fresh green colour in spring, age to...

From$557.95
Knightia excelsa (Rewarewa) specimen tree in a park.
Knightia excelsa

Knightia excelsa, commonly known as Rewarewa, is an impressive NZ native tree featuring showy flowers and lush foliage. Unusual yet attractive, dark...

From$270.40
acer-platanoides-4
Acer platanoides

Acer platanoides (Norway Maple) is a large deciduous tree prized for its broad canopy, dense shade, and attractive seasonal colour. The lush green...

From$249.95
Liriodendron tulipifera 'Fastigiata' trees with yellow foliage in autumn.
Liriodendron tulipifera 'Fastigiata' (Tulip Tree)

Liriodendron tulipifera fastigiata, also known as the Upright Tulip Tree, is a stunning deciduous tree admired for its narrow, columnar form. It...

From$515.35
koelreuteria-paniculata-1
Koelreuteria paniculata

Koelreuteria paniculata (Golden Rain Tree) is a stunning deciduous tree admired for its bright yellow flower clusters and attractive foliage. In...

From$270.40
azara-microphylla-2
Azara microphylla

Azara microphylla (Vanilla Tree) is a graceful evergreen tree admired for its small glossy leaves and wonderfully fragrant yellow flowers. In spring...

From$387.55
magnolia-margaret-helen-
Magnolia Margaret Helen (Magnolia Tree Margaret Helen)

Magnolia Margaret Helen is a deciduous tree that bears masses of large and showy, rose-pink flowers through late winter and early spring. These are...

From$387.55
Cornus controversa

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Cornus, Myoporum, and Parrotia, or related Categories - Deciduous Shrubs, Deciduous Trees, and Evergreen Trees.

Search dogwood tree

Why Plant a Dogwood Tree in New Zealand?

Dogwoods (Cornus species) adapt well to many New Zealand garden environments, from cool southern climates to warmer northern regions. Most dogwood trees display show-stopping blooms in spring – from pure white to rich pink – attractive berries in late summer, and a riot of colour in autumn. Their attractive form also graces the winter garden with elegant branching patterns and, for some species, coloured stems.

Dogwood trees are an excellent choice for feature planting in lawns, woodland gardens, mixed borders, or as understorey trees with filtered shade. Many gardeners also pair them with natives and complementary ornamentals for maximum year-round interest.

Top Dogwood Tree Varieties for New Zealand Gardens

Choosing a dogwood tree in New Zealand comes down to style preferences and site considerations. Here are a few highly recommended varieties for local gardens:

Planting and Care Tips

To help your dogwood tree thrive in New Zealand, choose a planting position with well-drained soil and shelter from harsh wind. Most dogwoods prefer partial shade but tolerate full sun in cooler climates. Keep the root zone cool and moist with organic mulch, and be sure to water during dry spells, especially in the first few years.

Dogwood trees are relatively low-maintenance, requiring little pruning aside from removing dead, damaged, or crossing branches. Feeding in early spring with a slow-release fertiliser helps maintain healthy growth and vibrant foliage.

Companion Planting with Dogwood Trees

Dogwoods work beautifully with a range of New Zealand natives and exotics. For layered structure and year-round interest, consider combining your dogwood tree with Plagianthus regius (Ribbonwood), a fast-growing native with lacy foliage, or underplant with climbers like Parsonsia capsularis (New Zealand Jasmine) for fragrance and ground cover appeal.

Find Your Perfect Dogwood Tree in New Zealand

Dogwood trees offer exceptional seasonal beauty and adaptable performance in New Zealand gardens. Whether you’re drawn to the colourful winter stems of Cornus alba 'Sibirica' or the elegant layers of Cornus controversa, there’s a dogwood to suit every garden style. Combine them with native favourites and enjoy a truly outstanding landscape for years to come.

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