Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
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flowering dogwood shrub

If you’re looking to brighten your garden with stunning spring flowers, the flowering dogwood shrub is a truly standout choice. Prized by New Zealand gardeners for their elegant form, vibrant blooms, and year-round interest, flowering dogwood shrubs (Cornus species) are as versatile as they are beautiful. Whether you’re searching for a show-stopping specimen tree, a colourful boundary, or a thoughtful gift for a fellow plant lover, this ornamental shrub brings colour, structure, and a sense of woodland charm to almost any landscape.

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 $349.95

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Shrubs

Height: 5.00 m

Spread: 4.00 m

Flowering time: Spring

Tolerances: Hardy

Garden uses: Living areas, Parks, Specimen

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

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 foliage is dark green and contrasts perfectly with the flowers. As autumn progresses, the leaves develop impressive shades of red before falling.

Buy Cornus kousa 'Milky Way'

From $349.95

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Trees

Height: 5.00 m

Spread: 5.00 m

Flowering time: Spring

Tolerances: Hardy

Garden uses: Parks, Specimen

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

Why Choose a Flowering Dogwood Shrub?

The appeal of a flowering dogwood shrub extends far beyond its spectacular spring display. These shrubs are treasured for their profusion of soft pastel bracts, often creamy white, pink, or even red, which encircle true tiny flowers and light up their branches every year. Come autumn, they continue to impress with vivid scarlet foliage and decorative berries, providing food for native birds. In winter, the dogwood’s branching structure adds striking silhouettes to the garden, ensuring year-round value.

Flowering dogwood shrubs thrive in full sun to partial shade and prefer well-drained, humus-rich soils. They’re ideal for borders, woodland gardens, or as accent plantings. Given their shallow roots and modest size, they also suit smaller New Zealand sections and urban gardens perfectly.

Top Varieties to Consider

Choosing the right variety will ensure your flowering dogwood shrub really shines. One of the most popular selections is Cornus florida 'Spring Song', which features classic pure white bracts and a lovely layered habit, making it a favourite among gardeners seeking an elegant, timeless look.

For something truly special, consider Cornus kousa 'Milky Way'. This variety is cherished for its abundant creamy-white flowers, followed by strawberry-like fruits in summer, offering visual interest through multiple seasons.

If you’re inspired by more unusual forms, Cornus 'Elizabeth Lustgarten' is a beautiful small tree or large shrub with showy spring blooms and striking autumn colour. For dramatic red winter stems, ideal for adding seasonal contrast, Cornus alba 'Sibirica' makes a versatile companion to other flowering dogwood shrubs.

How to Grow and Care for Flowering Dogwood

Plant your flowering dogwood shrub in a spot with morning sun and sheltered from harsh winds. Mulch generously, maintain moisture during dry spells, and feed with a balanced slow-release fertiliser in early spring. Regular pruning is rarely needed, aside from the removal of crossing or damaged branches. With the right site, these plants are relatively low-maintenance and long-lived, making them an excellent addition to gardens throughout New Zealand.

Companion Plants for Flowering Dogwood

Mixing flowering dogwood shrubs with other fragrant or flowering shrubs can enhance your garden’s impact. Philadelphus Snowdrift (Philadelphus), with its snowy white, highly scented blooms, pairs beautifully with the delicate bracts of dogwoods, creating a layered and inviting effect.

Add Seasonal Beauty to Your Garden

A flowering dogwood shrub offers unparalleled grace and year-round contribution to New Zealand gardens. With their exceptional flowers, vibrant autumn hues, and structural winter branches, dogwoods are much more than a fair-weather friend. Explore our range and discover varieties like Cornus florida 'Spring Song', Cornus kousa 'Milky Way', and Cornus alba 'Sibirica' to elevate your landscape with enduring natural beauty.

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.

flowering dogwood shrub

Cornus florida 'Spring Song'

Cornus kousa 'Milky Way'

Did you find what you are looking for?

Why Choose a Flowering Dogwood Shrub?

Top Varieties to Consider

How to Grow and Care for Flowering Dogwood

Companion Plants for Flowering Dogwood

Add Seasonal Beauty to Your Garden

Contact us

Explore Garden Inspiration

flowering dogwood shrub

Cornus florida 'Spring Song'

Cornus kousa 'Milky Way'

Did you find what you are looking for?

Why Choose a Flowering Dogwood Shrub?

Top Varieties to Consider

How to Grow and Care for Flowering Dogwood

Companion Plants for Flowering Dogwood

Add Seasonal Beauty to Your Garden

Contact us

Explore Garden Inspiration

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