Dogwoods Take a Little Work

Dogwood
Dogwood

A spring flowering dogwood filling with white blossoms is the envy of area gardeners. And for most it's only a dream unless they are willing to give the trees special care from the start.
You have to pick your dogwood carefully. Make sure it's a locally grown tree. Dogwoods imported from other states and those grown in a heavy clay soils appear to have a tough time adjusting to local home sites.

Dogwoods also need a stress free location to become established. Find a spot with a full day of filtered sun or an area with morning sun and afternoon shade.

Then use the following tips to ensure a dogwood with spring flowers you can be proud of.

	Prepare a large planting site; enrich sandy soils with organic matter.
	Plant the tree at the same depth or slightly higher out of the ground than it was in the pot.
	Maintain a 3- to 4-inch mulch layer over the roots.
	Feed new trees lightly every other month March through September with a garden fertilizer.
	Keep the soil moist.

Dogwoods need almost constant care until the roots grow into the surrounding soil. Continue good watering and feeding practices for at least three years.