Cornus Ascona - Flowering Dogwood

Cornus 'Ascona' is a natural hybrid of Cornus nuttallii and Cornus florida, forming a remarkable small tree known for its spring flowering in large pearly white bracts and its foliage turning yellow and red in autumn. Wide conical habit, well ramified.

Native to North America, Nuttall's dogwood crossed with Cornus florida to create the 'Ascona' hybrid, named after the town near where it is more abundant in nature. It is a hardy small tree that can reach 10 to 12m (32ft10 in to 39ft 5in) in height in the wild, compared to 4 to 6m (13ft 1in to 19ft 8in) in our gardens. Its conical habit, with slightly weeping branches, bear opposite, ovate leaves, 8 to 12cm (3.1 to 4.7in) long, medium green in colour turning golden and red in autumn. The cream-white flowers, in rounded inflorescences surrounded by pearly bracts, 8cm (3.1in) long, give way to white berries with no significant ornamental value.

The 'Ascona' Cornus nuttallii grows in rich, moist, well-drained, acidic and humus-rich soil, in semi-shaded or lightly shaded positions, well sheltered from the wind. Water every 10 days during dry spring weather and keep the soil moist during the first summers. Fertilize after flowering with a rhododendron fertilizer. Maintain its natural habit and limit pruning to a simple shaping after flowering.

The 'Ascona' dogwood can be planted individually or in the background of flowerbeds, in association with azaleas, Pieris and rhododendrons. Use it as an informal hedge mixed with Laurustinus, Choisya, Nandina or Camellia.