Plant types

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Planting conditions

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Nurseries & Gardens

Photo by Kurt Stueber

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Cornus nuttallii

Also Known As

Canadian Dogwood
Mountain Dogwood
Pacific Dogwood

Plant type

tree

size

H: 40'
W: 25'

planting zones

7a-8b

More Options

Cornus nuttallii plant details

Cornus nuttallii is a broadleaf deciduous tree with green foliage. In fall and spring white flowers emerge followed by orange and red fruit. Does well in acidic, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Cornus nuttallii

Plant type: tree
Plant family: cornaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 25 FT wide, 40 FT tall
Flowers: white blooms in fall and spring

GROWING CONDITIONS for Cornus nuttallii

USDA Zones: 7a - 8b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
Resistant to: verticillium wilt
Soil needs: acidic, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Attractive all season and especially so in spring when this wonderful western native 20-40' tree has its interesting horizontal tiered branches covered in masses of magnificent, pure white flowers, it becomes a stunning show again in autumn when its bright-green leaves change to brilliant orange and red; its attention-grabbing showy red fruits add to its fall beauty. PSh/M-GDr

By: Forestfarm

The Pacific Dogwood is one of the largest dogwood species and is native along the pacific coast from Canada south in Mexico. It grows in the hills above our nursery and is commonly found in the medium elevation woods in the Applegate Valley. Unlike most other dogwood species, Cornus nuttallii often flowers several times each year rather than just once in the spring. The heaviest flowers appear in mid spring but another round of flowers appear again in June, usually followed by another round of flowers in August.

What really sets the Pacific Dogwood apart from other species, however, is its unique fall color. Most dogwood species produce dark purple-red leaves in the fall, but Cornus nuttallii turns a strawberry lemonade pink that is highly translucent. On sunny fall days the tall trees glow pink as the sun shines through the leaves. We have never been able to capture how bright the leaves are on camera, we tried our best but you just have to see them for yourself.

By: Red Panda Nursery

Among the largest of dogwoods, its best landscape merits are expressed in the Pacific Northwest. Excellent fall color, may repeat bloom. In mild winter areas, it is used as rootstock for exceptionally vigorous hybrids with C. kousa.

By: Heritage Seedlings

Blooms: summer, white, red fruit/ deciduous foliage Zone 5-9. 10'-30', PNW, part shade-shade, moist, well drained

By: Keeping it Green Nursery

West coast native dogwood, a small tree to 20 ft or so in the garden, especially gorgeous covered in pure white flowers in spring followed by clusters of red, berry-like drupes. Deciduous, the green leaves turning bright yellow-orange to red before dropping in autumn. One of the most drought adapted dogwoods for our part of the world. This is a Lane County Oregon collection. Sun to part shade with summer water just to established. Frost hardy in USDA zone 6.