Pacific Dogwood
Cornus nuttallii · Deciduous, Broadleaf, Hardwood
Plant Family
Cornaceae
Tree Category
Ornamental, Flowering, Native Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Native species (Commonly 'Eddie's White Wonder' in landscaping)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-9; requires temperate climates and struggles in areas with high humidity and heat or extreme continental winters.
About This Tree
A medium-sized deciduous tree with an upright, often multi-stemmed growth habit that can become rounded with age. It is renowned for its large, showy white 'flowers' (which are actually bracts) and its tiered branching pattern that creates a graceful, layered silhouette.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, opposite leaves approximately 3-5 inches long; oval or ovate shape with distinctive arcuate (curving) venation; dark green in summer turning to brilliant shades of red and purple in the fall.
Bark Characteristics
Thin, smooth and gray-brown when young; as it matures, it develops small, flat, rectangular plates or a slightly scaly texture while maintaining a generally smooth appearance compared to other hardwoods.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Western North America, from British Columbia to Southern California; primarily found in the Pacific Northwest.
Growing Season
Leafs out in early spring; flowers from April to June (often with a second smaller bloom in autumn); fruits ripen in late summer; enters dormancy in late autumn after showing red/purple fall color.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Partial sun to partial shade (prefers edges of forests); requires well-drained, moist, acidic soil. It is sensitive to extreme summer drought and needs consistent moisture but is prone to root rot if soil is poorly drained.
Mature Size
Typically 20-40 feet tall with a spread of 15-25 feet; slow to moderate growth rate; can live 80-100 years in ideal conditions.
Special Characteristics
The large white 'flowers' are actually 4-7 creamy-white involucral bracts surrounding a central cluster of true tiny flowers. Highly valued for ornamental beauty but susceptible to Dogwood Anthracnose (Discula destructiva).
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides critical early-season nectar for pollinators like bees and butterflies; the bright red drupes (fruit clusters) are a high-energy food source for band-tailed pigeons, waxwings, and other songbirds; provides nesting cover for smaller avian species.