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dogwood tree varieties

Dogwood tree varieties are renowned for their year-round beauty, manageable size, and low maintenance requirements, making them a favourite choice among New Zealand gardeners. With stunning spring blooms, attractive summer foliage, and vibrant autumn colour, there’s a dogwood to suit every garden style and setting. Whether you’re drawn to their elegant flowers or intriguing bark, exploring the diverse world of dogwoods can transform your outdoor space into a true seasonal showcase.

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. The tree is adorned with clusters of cream-white flowers in summer, which result in small, dark blue berries. It typically grows to 10 m tall and 6 m wide. Cornus controversa makes for a lovely specimen tree and is an excellent choice for adding to a mixed planting, or using as a backdrop for smaller plants.

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. It typically grows to 2.5 m tall and 1 m wide, and should be trimmed each year. Cornus Flaviramea is a great plant for adding to a mixed planting, as well as cluster planting to provide a dramatic winter display.

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$343.89
Cornus 'Elizabeth Lustgarten' specimen tree with masses of white flowers.

Cornus 'Elizabeth Lustgarten'

Cornus 'Elizabeth Lustgarten' features large and showy, white flowers during spring and summer, which are followed by red berries in autumn. It grows...

From$343.89
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$33.68
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$299.92
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...

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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...

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metasequoia-glyptostroboides-3

Metasequoia glyptostroboides (Dawn Redwood)

Metasequoia glyptostroboides, commonly known as the Dawn Redwood, is a deciduous tree that features fine, needle like, rich-green leaves which turn...

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cercis-hearts-of-gold-

Cercis canadensis Hearts of Gold (Redbud)

The Cercis canadensis Hearts of Gold tree, commonly known as the Redbud Tree or Hearts Of Gold Redbud, is a small and popular, deciduous tree grown...

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ulmus-carpinifolia-variegata-4

Ulmus carpinifolia Variegata (Field Elm)

Ulmus carpinifolia Variegata, commonly known as Field Elm or Variegated Elm tree, is a stately, deciduous tree grown for its colourful foliage. The...

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sequoiadendron-giganteum-

Sequoiadendron giganteum (Sequoia gigantea Tree)

Sequoiadendron giganteum, commonly known as the Giant Redwood, is a large, evergreen tree and aptly named for its red coloured wood. It features...

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fraxinus-excelsior-aurea-

Fraxinus excelsior aurea

Fraxinus excelsior aurea, commonly known as the Golden Ash tree, is a large and stately, deciduous tree. The leaves emerge light green-yellow in...

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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...

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crassula-ovata-

Crassula ovata (Money Tree)

Crassula ovata is a versatile plant ideal for New Zealand gardens, offering unique features and easy care.

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aesculus-baumannii-5

Aesculus hippocastanum Baumannii

Aesculus hippocastanum Baumannii, commonly known as the Horse Chestnut, is a lovely, spreading tree. It bears large, upright sprays of double, white...

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fraxinus-excelsior-3

Fraxinus excelsior

Fraxinus excelsior, commonly known as the European Ash or Common Ash, is a large and stately, deciduous tree grown for its rich and colourful...

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robinia-lace-lady-

Robinia Lace Lady

Robinia Lace Lady, commonly known as the False Acacia tree, is a deciduous tree grown for its lace-like foliage and pendulous form. The showy foliage...

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lagunaria-patersonia-3

Lagunaria patersonia

Lagunaria patersonia, commonly known as the Primrose Tree, is an attractive, evergreen tree featuring lovely flowers. The showy, single flowers are...

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cedrela-sinensis-flamingo-7

Cedrela sinensis Flamingo (Toon Tree)

Cedrela sinensis Flamingo is a highly colourful, deciduous tree featuring bright, salmon-pink foliage in spring which ages to cream-yellow, and then...

From$28.28
corylus-maxima-purpurea-

Corylus maxima Purpurea

Corylus maxima Purpurea, commonly known as the Purple-Leaved Filbert tree, is grown for its attractive foliage and interesting catkins. This...

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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$26.93
pear-doyenne-du-comice-semi-dwarf-2

Pear Doyenne du Comice (Comice Pear Tree)

The Comice pear tree (Pyrus communis Doyenne du Comice) is regarded as having the best flavour of all the pear varieties. It bears green skinned...

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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$97.13
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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$12.50
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$391.14
Melia azedarach tree.

Melia azedarach (Bead Tree)

Melia azedarach, commonly known as Bead Tree, White Cedar or Persian Lilac, is a fast-growing deciduous tree admired for its feathery foliage and...

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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...

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chiranthodendron-pentadactylon-2

Chiranthodendron pentadactylon (Monkeys Hand Tree)

Commonly known as the Monkeys Hand Tree, this is an evergreen tree grown for its flowers and stature. Amidst the lush, green foliage are borne showy...

From$146.79
Tabebuia rosea tree with masses of pink flowers.

Tabebuia rosea

Tabebuia rosea, commonly known as Pink Poui or Rosy Trumpet Tree, is a large tree grown for its amazing flowers. Showy clusters of pink flowers coat...

From$43.13
fraxinus-purple-spire-2

Fraxinus Purple Spire

Fraxinus Purple Spire is a popular variety of the commonly known, Claret Ash, and is grown for its impressive form and brilliant autumn colours. It...

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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$432.79
Cornus controversa

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You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Acer, Aesculus, Cedrela, Cercis, Chiranthodendron, Cornus, Corylus, Crassula, Dacrydium, Fraxinus, Lagunaria, Liriodendron, Melia, Metasequoia, Metrosideros, Pear, Robinia, Sequoiadendron, Sorbus Tabebuia and Ulmus, or related Categories - General Garden Fertiliser, Pear Trees, Deciduous Shrubs, Succulents, Deciduous Trees Evergreen Trees and Maple Tree.

Search dogwood tree

Why Choose Dogwood Tree Varieties for Your Garden?

Dogwoods (Cornus species) offer more than just breathtaking blooms. These versatile trees thrive in a range of New Zealand conditions and provide ornamental interest throughout the seasons. Not only do their unique flower bracts brighten up spring, but many dogwood varieties also feature colourful stems in winter, berries for local birds, and lush summer canopies. They’re well-suited to small and medium gardens and can be grown as feature trees, group plantings, or borders.

Top Dogwood Tree Varieties to Grow in New Zealand

Selecting the right dogwood tree variety ensures you’ll enjoy maximum beauty and resilience in your garden. Here are some standout options available to New Zealand plant enthusiasts:

Cornus 'Eddie's White Wonder'

A hybrid with striking, large white blooms in spring, Cornus 'Eddie's White Wonder' is beloved for its elegant stature and reliable performance. This variety also displays beautiful autumn colours and is ideal as a specimen tree.

Cornus 'Elizabeth Lustgarten'

If you appreciate profuse white flowers, Cornus 'Elizabeth Lustgarten' delivers each spring, followed by attractive green foliage. Its controlled growth habit and disease resistance make it a practical choice for smaller gardens or landscape borders.

Cornus 'Cloud 9'

For show-stopping, large white bracts and a strong garden presence, Cornus 'Cloud 9' is a top pick. This variety’s broad shape and impressive flower display make it an excellent statement tree that shines across the seasons.

Cornus stolonifera 'Flaviramea'

Not all dogwoods grow as trees—Cornus stolonifera 'Flaviramea' is a colourful shrub variety famous for its bright yellow winter stems. It’s perfect for adding structure and vibrant seasonal colour to mixed shrub borders and wet areas.

Cornus alba 'Sibirica'

Another outstanding shrub, Cornus alba 'Sibirica', boasts brilliant red winter stems, offering a dramatic highlight in winter gardens. It’s an adaptable, hardy variety that thrives in different soils and garden settings.

Caring for Dogwood Tree Varieties

Dogwoods grow best in well-drained soil and a spot with morning sun or light dappled shade. Regular mulching and occasional deep watering help them establish well, while a little pruning maintains shape and encourages new blooms. Choose a location with some shelter from harsh winds, and you’ll enjoy years of beautiful flowers and foliage.

Find the Perfect Dogwood Tree for Your Landscape

With their grace, diversity, and easy care, dogwood tree varieties are a superb addition to NZ gardens. Explore our curated selection—including Cornus 'Eddie's White Wonder', Cornus 'Elizabeth Lustgarten', and Cornus 'Cloud 9'—to find the ideal fit for your landscape. For those seeking vibrant winter colour, consider standout shrubs like Cornus stolonifera 'Flaviramea' and Cornus alba 'Sibirica'. Embark on your journey with dogwoods and enjoy garden interest all year round.


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