23 of the Best Dogwood Varieties for Your Landscape

ByVictoria Arias
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Dogwoods are a favorite among gardeners, known for their beautiful blooms, lush foliage, and attractive bark. They add four-season interest to any landscape with their spring blossoms, colorful foliage, and striking branches. With varieties that thrive in a wide range of USDA Hardiness Zones, there’s a dogwood for every garden.

In this article, we’ve compiled a list of 23 of the best dogwood varieties to help you choose the perfect one for your landscape. From shrubs to trees, there’s something for every garden size and style. Let’s dive into the details and explore these exciting varieties!

Why Choose Dogwoods for Your Landscape?

Dogwoods, part of the Cornaceae family, are native to Asia, Europe, and North America. They are versatile plants that grow well in a variety of soils and light conditions. Here are some reasons why dogwoods are a popular choice for landscapes:

  • Spring blossoms: Dogwoods produce beautiful blooms in spring, adding a splash of color to your garden.
  • Lush summer foliage: The foliage of dogwoods is rich and vibrant, giving your garden a lush, green backdrop.
  • Autumn color: Many dogwood varieties display stunning fall foliage in shades of orange, red, and purple.
  • Striking branches: The bare branches of dogwoods in winter add interest to the landscape, especially when covered with snow.

For more information on caring for dogwood trees, be sure to check out our growing guide. Now, let’s explore the 23 best dogwood varieties for your landscape!

23 of the Best Dogwoods

  1. Appalachian Joy

  2. Features showy, white, petal-like bracts

  3. Dark green leaves turn vibrant colors in the fall
  4. Bright red berry-like drupes attract songbirds

  5. Available from Nature Hills Nursery

  6. Arctic Fire

  7. Bright red branches stand out in winter

  8. Clusters of white flowers in spring
  9. Red leaves and white berries in the fall

  10. Tolerant of wet soil

  11. Cherokee Brave

  12. Cold-hardy with bright pink blossoms

  13. Red drupes and maroon foliage in autumn

  14. Above-average disease and drought tolerance

  15. Cornelian Cherry

  16. Edible tart fruits perfect for preserves

  17. Small yellow blossoms and holly-like contrast

  18. Exfoliating bark adds texture to the landscape

  19. Dwarf Cornel

  20. Ground-covering subshrub with star-like blooms

  21. Red and purple fall foliage

  22. Best suited for partial shade

  23. Elegantissima

  24. Variegated foliage with white blossoms

  25. White drupes and colorful leaves in autumn

  26. Available from Nature Hills Nursery

  27. Elizabeth Lustgarten

  28. Weeping tree with cascading branches

  29. Orange, red, and yellow foliage in fall

  30. Edible red drupes

  31. Firebird

  32. Bright reddish-pink blossoms

  33. Tri-color foliage in green, pink, and white

  34. Festive display in the fall

  35. Gray Twig

  36. Red-emergent foliage turns gray-green

  37. Clusters of white flowers and white drupes

  38. Tolerant of dry conditions

  39. Isanti

    • Cold-hardy with deep red foliage
    • Clusters of white blossoms in spring
    • Best suited for wet soil

  40. Ivory Halo

    • Variegated leaves with cream margins
    • White flowers and white drupes
    • Classic red stems in winter

  41. Muskingum

    • Native gray dogwood with compact form
    • Deep red foliage and white drupes
    • Available from Nature Hills Nursery

  42. Neon Burst

    • Vivid yellow summer foliage
    • Clusters of white blossoms and white drupes
    • Colorful autumn foliage

  43. Pacific

    • Native mountain dogwood with white petal-like bracts
    • Bright red drupes and fall foliage
    • Tolerant of black walnut toxicity

  44. Pagoda

    • Starry white blossoms with red pedicels
    • Reddish-purple autumn foliage
    • Tolerant to juglone

  45. Red Osier

    • Stunning red-stemmed shrub
    • White blossoms and fall foliage
    • Tolerant of wet conditions

  46. Roughleaf

    • Native tree with rough textured bark
    • Fall foliage deepens to burgundy
    • Tolerant of wet soil

  47. Satomi

    • Outstanding features for every season
    • Showy pink flowers and red foliage
    • Disease-resistant alternative to flowering dogwood

  48. Scarlet Fire

    • Developed at Rutgers University
    • Fuchsia-pink blossoms with red drupes
    • Exceptionally tolerant of cold and heat

  49. Silky

    • Songbird favorite with inky blue berries
    • Red fall foliage and wet soil tolerance
    • Forms dense thickets for wildlife

  50. Swamp

    • Alternate to silky dogwood
    • Clusters of white flowers and blue drupes
    • Tolerant of wet conditions

  51. Venus

    • Robust shrub/tree with white flowers
    • Lush dark green foliage
    • Resistant to anthracnose and drought

  52. Yellow Twig

    • Bright yellow stems with white blossoms
    • Colorful autumn foliage
    • Tolerant of clay and wet soil

With a wide range of sizes, colors, and features, these dogwood varieties are sure to add beauty and interest to your landscape. Make sure to choose varieties suited to your growing zone and provide the right growing conditions for optimal growth.

Conclusion

Dogwoods are not only decorative but also provide food and shelter for wildlife, making them a valuable addition to any garden. Whether you prefer trees, shrubs, or subshrubs, there’s a dogwood variety to suit your needs. Which of these 23 best dogwood varieties is your favorite? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!

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