Home
Fact-checked

At WiseGEEK, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What are the Best Tips for Planting Dogwood Trees?

K. Gierok
K. Gierok

While dogwood trees can provide plenty of shade on a hot day, the most common reason they are added to any landscape is due to their beautiful foliage. In order to achieve optimal results when planting dogwood trees, a few basic tips can be very helpful. Gardeners who are considering adding dogwoods to their gardens should remember that the tree does best when planted in warm weather. In addition, it should be planted in a location that allows for plenty of moisture and shade. Dogwood trees should also be planted in a hole that is big enough to support the root ball of the tree in question.

When planting dogwood trees, it is usually best to wait until spring to plant the tree in order to achieve the best results. As with numerous other similar plants, dogwood trees typically fare best when they are planted in warm weather. It is usually best to wait until nighttime temperatures remain above freezing and the ground has thoroughly thawed in order to have the most success when planting dogwood trees.

Woman with a flower
Woman with a flower

For best results when planting dogwood trees, they should be placed in a location that contains moist soil, as they often fail due to inadequate amounts of water. In addition, though dogwood trees can survive in full sunlight, they typically fare best when planted in shadier parts of the yard. Dogwoods should be planted away from homes, garages, or other buildings, as they usually don't do well when planted near these heat-reflective surfaces.

In order to achieve optimal results in the planting of dogwood trees, gardeners should be sure to create a hole that is large enough to house the root ball of the plant. One of the biggest mistakes that gardeners often make is digging a hole that is too small for the plant in question. The hole for the dogwood tree that is being planted should be only deep enough that when the root ball is placed inside of it, the very top is level with the surface of the ground. The hole should be at least three times as wide as the root ball in order to allow the roots of the plant to expand to their full capacity.

Dogwoods do be when planted in moist soil. It is very important, therefore, to keep freshly planted dogwoods heavily watered. Watering the plant for at least five to ten minutes a day for the first week will allow it to start spreading its roots.

Discuss this Article

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Woman with a flower
      Woman with a flower