Dogwood, Pink Flowering

Pink Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida f. rubra)

Pink Flowering Dogwood is one of the most beloved ornamental forms of our native Flowering Dogwood, combining soft pink spring blossoms with the exceptional ecological value of this iconic understory tree. Blooming before the forest canopy fully leafs out, its rosy floral display signals the arrival of spring while providing resources for early pollinators. Through the rest of the year, lush green foliage, brilliant crimson fall color, and bright red berries make this tree an exceptional choice for woodland gardens, native landscapes, and layered food forests.

Key Characteristics

An early-season resource for pollinators and songbirds
The showy pink "flowers" are actually colorful bracts surrounding clusters of tiny true flowers that provide nectar and pollen for native bees, mining bees, sweat bees, and other early-emerging pollinators. By late summer and fall, brilliant red fruits become an important food source for over 35 species of birds, including Eastern Bluebirds, American Robins, Cedar Waxwings, Gray Catbirds, and Northern Cardinals.

A native understory tree with remarkable ecological value
Flowering Dogwood serves as a larval host plant for the Spring Azure butterfly and supports numerous native moth species. These caterpillars become an essential food source for nesting songbirds, making dogwoods an important contributor to healthy woodland food webs. The horizontal branching habit also provides excellent nesting sites and protective cover for wildlife.

Outstanding four-season beauty
Soft pink blossoms create a spectacular spring display before the foliage emerges. Summer brings elegant layered branching and rich green leaves, followed by brilliant shades of scarlet, burgundy, and purple in autumn. Bright red berries and attractive branching structure provide continued interest well into winter.

Perfect for woodland gardens and food forests
Pink Flowering Dogwood naturally occupies the understory layer, thriving beneath taller canopy trees where it adds seasonal color without competing for overhead space. It combines beautifully with Serviceberry, Eastern Redbud, Spicebush, native azaleas, ferns, and woodland wildflowers, making it ideal for woodland gardens, food forests, native hedgerows, streambank restoration, and layered regenerative landscapes.

Product Details

• Native range: Eastern North America (pink-flowered natural form of a native species)
• Plant life cycle: Perennial tree
• Sun requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil requirements: Medium to medium-wet
• Mature height: 15–25 feet
• Bloom time: April – May
• Bloom color: Pink
• USDA Hardiness zones: 5–9

Pink Flowering Dogwood grows best in moist, well-drained soils rich in organic matter with protection from intense afternoon sun in warmer regions. A layer of mulch helps maintain cool, evenly moist roots while supporting long-term health. Whether planted as a specimen tree, incorporated into a woodland border, or layered into a food forest, this graceful native offers decades of seasonal beauty while supporting pollinators, birds, and beneficial insects.