Dogwoods – MTYEWTK (More than you ever wanted to know.)
The genus Cornus (Dogwood) encompasses a wide variety of plants. There are trees, shrubs and even a groundcover. There are many stories about how dogwoods got their name. Our favorite is that the wood which is hard and strong was used to make loom shuttles also known as dags, thus this is the tree from which the “Dagwood” came. Dagwood was corrupted to dogwood over time. Or maybe George Washington tied his dog to one—who knows?
They are one of our favorite trees. Late spring blooms, some followed by strawberry like fruit, great fall color, attractive shape and some with peeling bark as they mature. What’s not to like? The flowers may be pink or white; the leaves green or variegated green and white or variegated green and yellow; and the form may be upright vase shaped, compact dwarf or weeping. Whatever size yard you have, there is a dogwood for you.
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