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small dogwood

If you're searching for the perfect small dogwood to add delicate beauty and year-round interest to your garden, you're in the right place. Small dogwoods are renowned for their ornamental charm, featuring elegant flowers, vibrant autumn foliage, and often striking winter bark—all while maintaining a compact size ideal for smaller gardens, courtyards, or feature planting. Whether you want a colourful focal point, a shade-loving understory tree, or a lush border shrub, there’s a small dogwood variety perfectly suited to New Zealand’s unique garden conditions.

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 comprises lush, dark green leaves that develop colourful shades of red in autumn before falling. It typically grows with a rounded shape to 3 m tall and the same width.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Trees
Height: 6.00 m
Spread: 5.00 m
Flowering time: Spring
Tolerances: Hardy
Garden uses: Living areas, Parks, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
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 borne just as the foliage emerges. The glossy, young leaves are green with bronze overtones and quickly age to become dark green.

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 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$24.95
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$349.95
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$279.95
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...

From$279.95
A Liquidambar 'Gumball' tree with fabulous autumn colours.
Liquidambar styraciflua 'Gumball'

Liquidambar styraciflua 'Gumball' is a small tree grown for its form and fantastic autumn colours. This popular ornamental tree features leaves that...

From$387.55
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$349.95
Japanese Box (Buxus microphylla) plants with lush green foliage.
Buxus microphylla (Littleleaf Boxwood)

Buxus microphylla, commonly known as Japanese Box or Littleleaf Boxwood, is a compact evergreen shrub renowned for its dense, glossy green foliage...

From$17.95
Large Muehlenbeckia astonii shrub in a garden.
Muehlenbeckia astonii (Mingimingi)

Muehlenbeckia astonii, commonly known as the Wiggy Wig Bush or Shrubby Tororaro, is a distinctive New Zealand native shrub characterised by its...

From$20.63
Dianella 'Margaret Pringle' plant in a pot.
Dianella 'Margaret Pringle'

Dianella 'Margaret Pringle' bears spikes carrying delicate, blue flowers in spring, which are followed by small, blue berries in summer. These are...

From$20.63
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Prunus autumnalis 'Rosea'

Prunus autumnalis 'Rosea' is an attractive deciduous flowering tree valued for its delicate pink blossoms and unusually long flowering season. Small...

From$399.95
A large Ilex crenata 'Convexa' shrub with dense, green foliage.
Ilex crenata 'Convexa'

Ilex crenata 'Convexa' is a compact evergreen shrub admired for its small glossy dark green leaves and naturally dense growth habit. Often used as an...

From$27.53
Coprosma robusta (Karamu) shrub growing as a specimen in a garden.
Coprosma robusta (Karamu)

Coprosma robusta, commonly known as Karamu, is a versatile New Zealand native shrub or small tree reaching up to 6 metres in height. It features...

From$7.50
Buxus koreana plant for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
Buxus koreana (Korean Boxwood)

Buxus koreana, commonly known as Korean Box, is a cold-hardy, evergreen shrub ideal for low hedging and formal borders in New Zealand gardens. It...

From$17.95
Acer 'Shaina' small and round trees with elegant, dark red-purple foliage.
Acer palmatum 'Shaina'

Acer palmatum 'Shaina' is a compact Japanese maple prized for its intense crimson red foliage and naturally tidy upright habit. This deciduous tree...

From$299.95
Phormium 'Surfer' plants in pots for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
Phormium 'Surfer'

Phormium 'Surfer' is a compact New Zealand native flax admired for its striking green leaves edged with bronze and red tones. Its upright, arching...

From$14.95
A Kunzea robusta shrub with masses of pretty, white flowers.
Kunzea robusta

Kunzea robusta (White Tea Tree) is a fast growing NZ native tree known for its fine foliage and masses of small white flowers that attract bees and...

From$8.97
Acer 'Shidava Gold' small tree with lush, green and yellow foliage.
Acer 'Shidava Gold'

Acer 'Shidava Gold' is a bright and elegant Japanese maple valued for its golden yellow foliage that brings light and contrast to garden spaces. This...

From$349.95
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
An Acer 'Katsura' specimen tree with orange and green foliage.
Acer 'Katsura'

Acer 'Katsura' is a stunning Japanese maple known for its brilliant apricot orange spring foliage that matures to fresh green before turning vibrant...

From$299.95
Acer palmatum 'Fireglow' bright red foliage.
Acer 'Fireglow'

Acer 'Fireglow' is a striking Japanese maple prized for its brilliant deep red foliage that holds colour exceptionally well throughout the season...

From$349.95
pittosporum-small-ball-
Pittosporum 'Small Ball'

Pittosporum 'Small Ball' is a compact evergreen shrub prized for its naturally rounded growth habit, dense foliage, and tidy appearance. This dwarf...

From$102.84
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...

From$399.95
Haworthia fasciata succulent growing in a pot.
Haworthia fasciata

Haworthia fasciata is a popular compact succulent recognised for its upright green leaves marked with distinctive white bands. Its bold pattern and...

From$15.11
Sophora microphylla specimen tree covered in yellow flowers.
Sophora microphylla (Small Leaved Kōwhai)

Sophora microphylla, commonly known as Weeping Kowhai, is a treasured New Zealand native tree admired for its graceful, drooping branches and masses...

From$28.91
Acer 'Mikawa Yatsubusa' specimen tree with lush, green foliage.
Acer palmatum 'Mikawa Yatsubusa'

Acer palmatum 'Mikawa Yatsubusa' is a sought-after dwarf Japanese Maple prized for its dense, layered foliage and elegant form. Its small...

From$299.95
Hedera helix 'Needlepoint' creeping stems with green foliage.
Hedera helix 'Needlepoint'

Hedera helix 'Needlepoint' is a refined evergreen ivy featuring small, deeply lobed leaves with a delicate, pointed shape. This compact and elegant...

From$14.95
Haworthia mirabilis 'Triebneriana' plant.
Haworthia mirabilis triebneriana

Haworthia mirabilis triebneriana is a compact succulent admired for its detailed rosettes, textured foliage, and easy care nature. It is an excellent...

From$15.11
fuchsia-patio-princess--1
Fuchsia 'Patio Princess'

Fuchsia 'Patio Princess' is a compact, free flowering variety bred for containers and small garden spaces. It produces elegant pendant blooms in soft...

From$19.95
Aristotelia serrata (Wineberry) tree with masses of black berries.
Aristotelia serrata (Wineberry)

Aristotelia serrata, commonly known as Wineberry or Makomako, is a fast-growing, deciduous native tree of New Zealand. It features serrated green...

From$22.01
Pittosporum eugenioides tree with lush, dark green foliage and cream-coloured flowers.
Pittosporum eugenioides (Tarata)

Pittosporum eugenioides, commonly known as Tarata or Lemonwood, is a fast-growing native New Zealand tree valued for its glossy green leaves and...

From$15.04
Cornus 'Cloud 9'

Did you find what you are looking for?

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

Search small dogwood

Why Choose a Small Dogwood?

Small dogwoods blend manageable size with spectacular seasonal display. Unlike their larger relatives, these compact varieties fit neatly into urban backyards, cottage gardens, or mixed borders. They’re valued for springtime bracts—often mistaken for flowers—that range from creamy white to soft pink, followed by lush green leaves that turn brilliant shades of red, purple, or orange in autumn. Many small dogwoods also reward with attractive fruit that appeals to native birds and, in some cases, striking variegated foliage or unique branching patterns.

Top Small Dogwood Varieties for New Zealand Gardens

For gardeners seeking a small dogwood with unique variegation, Cornus alternifolia 'Argentea' offers elegant, cream-edged leaves and a lovely tiered growth habit, making it a standout in woodland designs or modern spaces. If you're after traditional American dogwood blooms, Cornus florida 'Spring Song' delivers masses of soft pink bracts and impressive autumn colour, perfect for enhancing shady pockets or as a statement specimen.

Those looking for something a little different might consider Cornus 'Cloud 9', celebrated for its abundant large white blooms and compact, rounded form. Another beautiful option for mild climates is Cornus capitata, sometimes called the Himalayan strawberry tree, which features creamy flowers, evergreen foliage, and edible fruit.

If you’re after companion shrubs that blend harmoniously with small dogwoods, consider the fragrant Philadelphus Snowdrift (Philadelphus), known for its profusion of pure white, scented flowers—a perfect match for dogwoods in spring woodland schemes.

Growing and Caring for Small Dogwoods

Small dogwoods thrive in well-drained, humus-rich soil with consistent moisture and dappled sun or light shade, making them versatile in both established gardens and newer plantings. Shelter from harsh winds and afternoon sun is beneficial, especially for flowering varieties like Cornus florida 'Spring Song' and Cornus 'Cloud 9'. Apply mulch annually to keep roots cool and protect against dry spells, and prune lightly in late winter to maintain compact growth and encourage vigorous new stems.

Add a Small Dogwood to Your Garden

Choosing the right small dogwood adds lasting value and natural beauty to any outdoor space. Whether you favour the shimmering leaves of Cornus alternifolia 'Argentea', the iconic flowers of Cornus florida 'Spring Song', the abundant blooms of Cornus 'Cloud 9', or the berry-laden charm of Cornus capitata, these graceful trees and shrubs promise year-round interest for New Zealand gardens.

Explore our full range to find your ideal small dogwood and discover companion plants like Philadelphus Snowdrift (Philadelphus) for inspiring garden combinations.


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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.

–The Plant Company

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