Dogwood trees are a garden staple, prized for their showy spring blooms and attractive horizontal branching structure. To complement their beauty, consider combining dogwoods with these ideal companion plants.
Groundcovers for Dogwood Trees
Groundcovers spread to form a lush living carpet under the dogwood’s canopy, Excellent choices include
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Ferns – Evergreen ferns like Christmas fern or deciduous ostrich fern offer lovely fine texture. They appeared 4 times.
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Hostas – The wide selection of leaf shapes, sizes, and variegation patterns pair perfectly with dogwoods. They appeared 3 times.
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Euonymus – Evergreen euonymus groundcovers like ‘Emerald Gaiety’ brighten up shady sites. It appeared once.
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Carex – Sedges like C. morrowii or C. oshimensis contribute grassy texture. Carex appeared twice.
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Epimediums – Low-growing perennials with delicate flowers and heart-shaped leaves. They appeared once.
Flowering Perennials for Dogwood Trees
Adding perennials brings pops of color while attracting pollinators. Top options include:
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Azaleas – Early bloomers like native azaleas flower simultaneously with dogwoods. Azaleas appeared twice.
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Astilbes – Feathery summer plumes come in white, pink, red, and purple. They appeared once.
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Hellebores – Late winter blooms precede dogwoods, some stay evergreen. Hellebores appeared twice.
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Heucheras – Coral bells offer diverse leaf colors like burgundy, chartreuse, silver, and purple. They appeared once.
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Ferns – Along with form, some have bright hues like Japanese painted fern. Ferns appeared 4 times.
Shrubs for Dogwood Trees
Shrubs share dogwoods’ preference for shade. Top picks include:
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Hydrangeas – Bigleaf, panicle and oakleaf hydrangeas deliver summer flowers. Hydrangeas appeared twice.
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Rhododendrons – Evergreen leaves and spring blooms complement dogwoods nicely. They appeared once.
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Viburnums – Plants like arrowwood viburnum provide spring blooms and fall berries. Viburnums appeared once.
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Holly – Evergreen hollies or deciduous inkberry brighten when dogwoods are bare. Holly appeared once.
With thoughtful plant pairings, you can create a stunning garden anchored by captivating dogwoods and looking terrific year-round. Follow their cultural needs for moisture, soil and light to ensure all plants thrive in harmony.
How Companion Plants Enhance the Aesthetic of a Dogwood Tree Garden
Companion plants can dramatically elevate the visual appeal of a Dogwood tree garden. The vibrant contrast between the Dogwoods delicate flowers and the lush foliage of companion plants creates a stunning visual tapestry.
Seasonal changes in these plants add dynamic interest throughout the year. As the Dogwood blooms, the accompanying plants can provide a backdrop that highlights its beauty, making the garden feel alive and ever-changing.
Design Tips for Creating a Visually Appealing Garden
To create depth in your garden, consider layering plants of varying heights. This technique not only draws the eye but also mimics natural ecosystems, making your garden feel more organic.
Mixing colors is equally important. Choose companion plants that complement the Dogwoods structure, ensuring a harmonious blend that enhances the overall aesthetic. This thoughtful arrangement will make your garden a delightful retreat for both you and local wildlife.
Some plants can be detrimental to your Dogwood trees health. Japanese Knotweed is a notorious invasive species that can quickly take over your garden.
Certain varieties of sunflowers also fall into the “avoid” category. These heavy feeders can compete aggressively for nutrients, leaving your Dogwood tree struggling.
Flowering dogwood tree types to choose from
FAQ
What plants go well with dogwood trees?
Native ferns and Astilbe thrive in Dogwood shade, enhancing soil moisture and attracting insects. Wild Blueberry adds beauty and edible berries while deterring pests like the Dogwood borer. Coral Bells and layering plants create visual appeal and support a healthy garden ecosystem.
What is the hidden downside to planting a dogwood tree in your yard?
Dogwoods are especially prone to pests when their health is already suffering from leaf spot, twig blight, canker, or a fatal ailment such as dogwood anthracnose. Vulnerabilities like these make dogwoods hard to keep alive, plus they’re fussy about sunlight and water.
Where is the best place to plant a dogwood tree in the ground?
Dogwoods are best suited to moist, acidic soil and partial shade. Here locally, flowering dogwood grow at the edges of Meadows under the shade of contifers. The north side of a house or in the shadow of a larger tree is a good spot.
Do coffee grounds help dogwood trees?
Their acidic complex can also help balance or lower the pH level of soil, which is especially beneficial to acidity loving plants like blueberries, camellias, azaleas, dogwood trees, magnolia trees, and holly bushes.