Flowering Dogwood (Cornus Florida) 5 seeds (#549)

Popular as a specimen or small grouping on residential property around homes, near patios or in lawns. Also effective in woodland, bird or native plant gardens.
Cornus florida, commonly known as flowering dogwood, is a small deciduous tree with a low-branching, broadly-pyramidal but somewhat flat-topped habit. It arguably may be the most beautiful of the native American flowering trees. It is native from Maine to southern Ontario to Illinois to Kansas south to Florida, Texas and Mexico. It is the state tree of Missouri and Virginia.
It blooms in early spring (April) shortly after, but usually overlapping, the bloom period of the redbuds. The true dogwood flowers are actually tiny, yellowish green and insignificant, being compacted into button-like clusters. However, each flower cluster is surrounded by four showy, white, petal-like bracts which open flat, giving the appearance of a single, large white flower. Oval, dark green leaves turn attractive shades of red in fall. Bright red fruits are bitter and inedible to humans (some authors say poisonous) but are loved by birds. Fruits mature in late summer to early fall and may persist until late in the year.
Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Prefers moist, organically rich, acidic soils in part shade. Benefits from a 2-4” mulch which will help keep roots cool and moist in summer.
Information source: www.missouribotanicalgarden.org

Genus - Cornus
Species - Florida
Common name - Flowering Dogwood
Pre-Treatment - Required
Hardiness zones - 5 - 9
Height - 15-30' / 4,50 - 9 m
Spread - 15-30' / 4,50 - 9 m
Plant type - Tree
Vegetation type - Deciduous
Exposure - Full Sun, Partial Shade
Growth rate - Fast
Soil PH - Acidic, Neutral
Soil type - Organically rich, clay, Loam, Well Drained
Water requirements - Average Water Needs; Drought tolerant
Landscape uses - Feature Plant, Foundation, Mixed Border, Shade Trees
Bloom season - April - May
Leaf / Flower color - Green / White - light yellow

GERMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
1. Soak the seeds in warm water for 24 hours.
2. Fill a nursery flat or other germination container, to within 1/2 inch of the rim, with a sterile germinating mix. Moisten the mix thoroughly.
3. Sow the seeds ~2 mm deep in the mix. Moisten the seeds and place the flat in a cold frame or in the refrigerator at +2-+4C for 60-90 days. Keep the seeds moist during this period.
4. Remove the flat from the refrigerator and place it in an area with indirect sunlight and where the temperature remains between +15-+20 C (60-68 F).
5. Keep in good ventilated room or place. Good air circulation is required.
5. Spray the seeds periodically with room-temperature water from a misting bottle to ensure they remain moist. Seeds typically germinate within 20 days to three months.