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Dogwoods are beautiful trees with striking spring flowers. They are impressive trees to have around, but not every gardener has the space or the means to take care of a large tree. Other gardeners may not live in a zone warm enough to overwinter a dogwood outside. With some skill and attention, though, you can keep a dogwood tree in a container. Keep reading to learn more about caring for potted dogwood trees.
Dogwood trees are beloved for their showy spring blooms and attractive foliage. Their multi-season appeal makes them a coveted addition to any landscape However, not everyone has the space to plant a full-size dogwood tree in their yard The good news is you can enjoy these stunning trees on a patio or balcony by growing them in containers. With the right care, dogwoods can thrive potted in the proper conditions.
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about successfully growing dogwood trees in pots. We’ll discuss choosing varieties suited to containers, tips for planting and soil, watering and fertilizing needs, and overwintering container grown dogwoods. Follow these tips and you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful dogwood accenting your outdoor living space.
Benefits of Growing Dogwoods in Containers
There are many advantages to raising dogwood trees in pots compared to planting them in the ground
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Allows growing dogwoods on balconies patios and in other compact spaces.
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Gives you greater control over soil quality and drainage.
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Makes it easy to move the trees around to get optimal sunlight exposure.
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Provides portability to bring plants indoors or protect from extreme weather.
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Prevents invasive root systems from taking over garden beds.
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Enables growing dogwood varieties not hardy enough for your climate zone.
Choosing the Best Dogwood Varieties for Containers
While technically any dogwood can be grown in a pot, compact varieties are best suited for container life. Consider these excellent options:
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Kousa dogwood – A smaller Asian species that grows 10-15 feet tall. Known for showy white blooms.
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Red twig dogwood – Cornus sericea tops out around 9 feet tall. Prized for its red winter bark.
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Cherokee Princess – A Cornus florida cultivar that slowly reaches just 12-15 feet. Has pretty pinkish flowers.
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Cherokee Chief – Another dwarf C. florida selection that matures at 10 feet tall. Bears classic white blooms.
Selecting the Right Container for Dogwoods
Choosing the proper pot is critical for healthy container grown dogwood trees. Look for:
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Size – At minimum use a 24 inch wide x 24 inch deep container. This gives roots ample room.
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Drainage – Several drainage holes are crucial to prevent waterlogged soil.
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Material – Porous terra cotta, wood, resin, and concrete allow airflow. Avoid plastic.
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Durability – Pick a sturdy, weatherproof container that won’t crack or chip easily.
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Weight – Larger trees in pots are extremely heavy. Choose a container you can move when needed.
Soil Requirements for Potted Dogwoods
Dogwoods require excellent drainage when grown in containers. Make a custom soil mix by combining:
- 1 part potting soil
- 1 part peat moss or compost
- 1 part perlite or builder’s sand
Or use a commercial cactus/citrus potting soil, which has similar properties.
How to Plant Dogwood Trees in Containers
Follow these simple steps when potting up a dogwood:
- Fill the container about halfway with prepared soil mix. Add pebbles at the bottom for drainage.
- Remove the tree from its nursery pot, loosen circled roots, place in pot.
- Fill remaining space with soil, firm down gently.
- Water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom drainage holes.
- Mulch the top of the soil with 2-3 inches of bark, leaves, or straw.
- Apply a balanced organic fertilizer according to package directions.
- Stake the tree if needed for extra support.
Ongoing Care for Potted Dogwood Trees
With attentive care, your container grown dogwoods will thrive for years to come:
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Watering – Check soil daily, water when the top few inches become dry. Provide consistent moisture.
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Fertilizing – Feed every 6-8 weeks during the growing season with balanced organic fertilizer.
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Pruning – In late winter, remove dead branches and shape as desired. Never heavily prune.
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Overwintering – Move dormant trees to an unheated garage or cellar over winter. Water occasionally.
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Repotting – Transplant into a larger container every 2-3 years as the tree grows bigger.
By selecting compact varieties suited to pots and providing attentive care focused on drainage and moisture, you can successfully grow beautiful dogwood trees on a balcony or patio. With their graceful form and stunning seasonal displays of flowers and foliage, dogwoods make an excellent container specimen tree.
Best Soil For Dogwoods in Pots
A large container with ample drainage holes in the base is best for dogwoods. Select a container with a heavy base so the plant will not tip over during storms and high winds. A rich, friable growing medium mixed with compost and peat moss is perfect and something that the home gardener can make themselves. Alternatively, use a high-quality commercial potting soil to pot your dogwood. Adding a top layer of compost or mulch to the soil can help retain moisture, provide some additional nutrients and help to protect the roots in winter.
Planting Dogwoods in Pots
The size and choice of container are going to be crucial in your success or failure with your dogwood. You need a container that is at minimum 24 inches wide and 24 inches deep. That is a general rule and will help to insulate the roots in winter. Plastic and fiberglass pots are excellent choices in areas of the country that normally experience below freezing temperatures for extended periods of time and come in a wide variety of sizes and styles. There are some beautiful ceramic pots that are frost resistant but they can be pricey and prone to chipping or cracking over extended periods of exposure to the elements in which case it would probably be wise to inquire at the local nursery as to what would be the best choice for your area.
Spring or fall would be the optimal time to plant your dogwood tree. In spring you may find a larger assortment of trees than you would later on in the season but a fall planting has the added benefit of possibly finding something on sale and the tree will require less care from you as it is preparing for dormancy.
A location with a minimum of 6 hours direct sunlight a day is best for buds and flower development. An area where the dogwood would receive dappled sunlight all day would be ideal.
How to Plant and Care For Your Dogwood Tree
FAQ
Do dogwood trees do well in pots?
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Homes and Gardenshttps://www.homesandgardens.comGrowing flowering dogwood trees in pots: for spring blooms |
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Better Homes & Gardenshttps://www.bhg.comHow to Plant and Grow a Dogwood Tree – Better Homes & GardensFeb 4, 2025 — Potting and Repotting Dogwood Tree Because of its size and dense, shallow roots, a dogwood tree isn’t good candidate for growing in a container.
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Gardening Know Howhttps://www.gardeningknowhow.comGrowing Dogwoods In Pots – How To Grow Dogwoods In A ContainerFeb 28, 2023 — Can I Grow Dogwood in a Container? Can I grow dogwood in a container? Technically, yes, it’s possible, but there are certain requirements to be met,
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Wilson Bros Gardenshttps://www.wilsonbrosgardens.comHow To Plant a Dogwood Tree from the Experts at Wilson Bros GardensAug 25, 2016 — Dogwood trees growing in pots require a moist but well-drained soil. Constantly soggy soil can and often will cause root rot or other harmful or dea…
How many years does it take for a dogwood to bloom?
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Dogwoods grown from seeds can take 7 to 10 years to mature and begin blooming.
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Trees started from cuttings, which are more mature, usually bloom in 2 to 3 years.
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If you’re looking for early flowering, a grafted cultivar might be a better choice than a seed-grown tree, as they are often selected for precocious flowering.
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Factors Affecting Bloom Time:Sunlight, soil nutrients, moisture, and fertilization can all influence when a dogwood starts blooming.
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Dogwoods can have a tendency to bloom heavily one year and less the following year, with a healthy tree potentially producing a large berry crop in the fall alongside the heavy bloom.
Why are dogwoods hard to grow?
Dogwood trees, Cornus florida and Cornus kousa, prefer an organically-rich, fertile soil that is moist but must be well drained. They do not like wet feet. Constantly soggy or wet soil is a killer. Established dogwood trees are quite drought tolerant.
Do dogwoods like sun or shade?
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Natural Preference:Dogwoods are native understory trees, meaning they evolved in forests where they received dappled sunlight filtered through the canopy of larger trees.
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Ideal Location:A location that provides morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal for dogwoods, as this mimics their natural habitat and provides protection from the intense afternoon heat.
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Tolerant of Full Sun:While dogwoods can tolerate full sun, especially in cooler zones, they may exhibit some stress in hot, dry conditions.
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Full Sun Considerations:In full sun, dogwoods may be more prone to leaf scorch and require more frequent watering.
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Soil:Dogwoods also prefer moist, well-drained, acidic soil.