Knowledgebase
Kousa Florida barely leafing out with white flowers #866586
Asked May 01, 2024, 10:57 AM EDT
Douglas County Oregon
Expert Response
Young dogwood trees need time to become established before they bloom reliably. However, when a dogwood tree does not flower, treatment involves assessment of location and cultural practices.
The Kousa dogwood (C. kousa), also called Chinese dogwood, has a longer bloom season and different growth characteristics and is more tolerant of dry conditions than the native flowering dogwood. There are several hybrids between the native flowering dogwood and the non-native Kousa dogwood that exhibit better disease resistance and longer bloom periods than the native species.
Other trees or multi-stemmed shrubs in the same genus as dogwood, but less commonly seen in landscapes, include cornelian cherry(Cornus mas), red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea), and bigleaf dogwood (Cornus macrophylla).
Proper tree care is a must from the moment the saplings are planted in the soil. While dogwood trees are generally very low maintenance and drought resistant, saplings will usually need to be watered and the soil surrounding trees may need to be mulched regularly. The key to maintaining the health of your dogwood is to plant it in a suitable location and take proper care of your tree to minimize stress (e.g., water during drought, avoid mulch against the trunk, etc.). Trees that are stressed due to unsuitable cultural and environmental are more susceptible to diseases and pest problems. Your dogwood tree will also require periodic pruning; note that over-pruning a tree puts it at great risk of disease, as bacteria and fungi can enter through improperly cut branches.
One reason for dogwood trees not blooming can be too much nitrogen. Many dogwood trees are planted in the middle of lawns and most lawn fertilizers are very high in nitrogen. Nitrogen is good for growth of leaves, which is why it makes a good lawn fertilizer, but too much nitrogen can stop a plant from flowering.
Select disease-resistant dogwood cultivars to reduce the chances of problems with common dogwood diseases. Research your selections prior to purchase. Some cultivars exhibit characteristics that may or may not be desirable to you or wildlife (e.g., double flowers, lack of berries).
Here is an article you will find useful: