Aurora® Dogwood
Cornus x 'Rutban'
Large, overlapping flower bracts with a velvety texture almost cover the foliage of this small tree in early spring. An outstanding yard or patio tree. Exceptionally disease and borer resistant. Deciduous.
| Botanical Pronunciation: | KOR-nus |
| Key feature: | Spring Flowering |
| Plant type: | Tree |
| Patent Act: | Asexual reproduction of plants protected by the Plant Patent Act is prohibited during the life of the patent. |
| Deciduous/evergreen: | Deciduous |
| Cold hardiness zones: | 5 - 8 |
| Light needs: | Partial to full sun |
| Sunset climate zones: | 3 - 9, 14 - 17 |
| Water Needs: | Needs regular watering - weekly, or more often in extreme heat. |
| Average landscape size: | Moderate growth to 25 ft. tall and wide. |
| Growth rate: | Moderate |
| Growth habit: | Pyramidal |
| Flower attribute: | Showy Flowers |
| Special features: | Attracts Birds, Easy Care, Fall Color, Improved Pest and Disease Resistance, North American Native Selection, Showy Fruit, Year-round Interest |
| Landscape uses: | Specimen, Woodland Garden |
| Flower color: | White |
| Blooms: | Early summer |
| Foliage color: | Green |
| Item no.: | 2761 |
| Retailers for this plant: |
Care Information
Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Watering can be reduced after establishment. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. Pruning time: winter.
Design Ideas
A spectacular accent tree for high profile front yards in the lawn or in beds with more diverse planting. Makes a stellar focal point in backyard landscape and it will draw the eye wherever it grows. Plant aligned with picture windows or sliding glass doors to better enjoy its seasonal changes from indoors. Good accent for shading and interest close to patio or terrace. Outstanding beneath a canopy of old shade trees or set into a woodland composition with understory species native or exotic. A valuable disease resistant replacement for dying Cornus florida and other susceptible dogwoods.
History
In the late 20th century a disease struck Cornus florida both in cultivation and in the wild causing the death of millions of trees in North American. Breeding efforts by Dr. Elwin Orton of Rutgers University resulted in the Rutgers Stellar Series dogwoods considered highly resistant to dogwood borer and moderately to highly resistant to dogwood anthracnose. The trees are a cross between C. florida, a native of the American southeastern states and C. kousa, the Japanese dogwood. The Stellar series blooms slightly later and lacks fruit.
Lore
Native Americans used the bloom time of the dogwoods to signal time to plant corn. Dogwood bark is notorously hard and used to make high stress tools.
Large, overlapping flower bracts with a velvety texture almost cover the foliage of this small tree in early spring. An outstanding yard or patio tree. Exceptionally disease and borer resistant. Deciduous.
Care Information
Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Watering can be reduced after establishment. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. Pruning time: winter.
Design Ideas
A spectacular accent tree for high profile front yards in the lawn or in beds with more diverse planting. Makes a stellar focal point in backyard landscape and it will draw the eye wherever it grows. Plant aligned with picture windows or sliding glass doors to better enjoy its seasonal changes from indoors. Good accent for shading and interest close to patio or terrace. Outstanding beneath a canopy of old shade trees or set into a woodland composition with understory species native or exotic. A valuable disease resistant replacement for dying Cornus florida and other susceptible dogwoods.
History
In the late 20th century a disease struck Cornus florida both in cultivation and in the wild causing the death of millions of trees in North American. Breeding efforts by Dr. Elwin Orton of Rutgers University resulted in the Rutgers Stellar Series dogwoods considered highly resistant to dogwood borer and moderately to highly resistant to dogwood anthracnose. The trees are a cross between C. florida, a native of the American southeastern states and C. kousa, the Japanese dogwood. The Stellar series blooms slightly later and lacks fruit.
Lore
Native Americans used the bloom time of the dogwoods to signal time to plant corn. Dogwood bark is notorously hard and used to make high stress tools.
| Botanical Pronunciation: | KOR-nus |
| Key feature: | Spring Flowering |
| Plant type: | Tree |
| Patent Act: | Asexual reproduction of plants protected by the Plant Patent Act is prohibited during the life of the patent. |
| Deciduous/evergreen: | Deciduous |
| Cold hardiness zones: | 5 - 8 |
| Light needs: | Partial to full sun |
| Sunset climate zones: | 3 - 9, 14 - 17 |
| Water Needs: | Needs regular watering - weekly, or more often in extreme heat. |
| Average landscape size: | Moderate growth to 25 ft. tall and wide. |
| Growth rate: | Moderate |
| Growth habit: | Pyramidal |
| Flower attribute: | Showy Flowers |
| Special features: | Attracts Birds, Easy Care, Fall Color, Improved Pest and Disease Resistance, North American Native Selection, Showy Fruit, Year-round Interest |
| Landscape uses: | Specimen, Woodland Garden |
| Flower color: | White |
| Blooms: | Early summer |
| Foliage color: | Green |
| Item no.: | 2761 |
