Bright white bracts surround greenish-yellow flowers. The bracts are modified leaves and are often mistaken for the flowers. The bracts serve as a flashy “landing strip” for bees that might overlook the insignificant flowers. The flowers give way to bright red, attractive fruit in the fall.
Trail/Garden Location:
Dogwood Trail, Orchard Trail, Rock Ledge Trail, Tulip Tree Trail
Garden Uses:
Flowering Dogwood is a good choice for specimen plantings or in group plantings. Although thought of as an understory tree, they can take a fair amount of sun, where they produce more blooms and fruit.
Wildlife Benefits:
Used as a source of nectar. The fruit is food for migrating and regional birds as well as small mammals.
