Cornus florida f. rubra, pink dogwood
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Broadleaf Deciduous Trees

Cornus florida f. rubra

pink dogwood

Cornaceae

Eastern North America (species); pink form arises naturally in wild populations

At a Glance

TypeTree
HabitSpreading
FoliageDeciduous
Height15-25 feet (4.5-7.5 m)
Width15-25 feet (4.5-7.5 m)
Maturity12 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

5 - 9
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Native to North America
Maintenancemoderate

Overview

Cornus florida f. rubra (pink dogwood, also sold as Cornus florida 'Rubra') is a pink-bracted form of eastern flowering dogwood, otherwise identical in size, habit, and seasonal performance to the white-bracted species. It reaches 15–25 feet (4.5–7.5 m) tall and wide with the same distinctive horizontally tiered branching pattern. In April through May, four bracts 1.5–2 inches (4–5 cm) long per flower head are soft pink to rose-pink, notched at the tip, deepening in color in cool spring weather — at their best the bracts are a warm rose-pink against the still-bare branches. Fall foliage is burgundy-red to scarlet; red berry clusters ripen in September through November. The botanical designation f. rubra reflects that pink-flowered plants arise naturally in wild populations and are not a named garden cultivar, though 'Rubra' is widely used as a cultivar name in the nursery trade. All the same Pacific Northwest limitations apply: Cornus florida f. rubra is highly susceptible to dogwood anthracnose (Discula destructiva), which thrives in cool, moist PNW conditions west of the Cascades. The pink color may make it slightly more distinctive in the landscape than the white form, but it is no more disease-resistant, and Cornus kousa remains the recommended alternative for PNW gardens. The pink-bracted form tends toward softer pink in warm springs and richer rose in cool ones — PNW springs typically produce good color.

Native Range

Cornus florida is native to eastern North America. The pink-bracted form (f. rubra) arises naturally in wild populations across the species' native range and has been selected in cultivation. Not native to the Pacific Northwest.

Suggested Uses

Grown for the same attributes as Cornus florida with the additional distinction of soft pink to rose bracts in spring. The pink color contrasts particularly well against dark evergreen backgrounds and pairs well with white-flowered spring companions. All PNW cautions apply equally: best attempted in open, sunny, well-drained sites with good air circulation, and with awareness that anthracnose risk is significant. For gardens seeking pink-bracted dogwood character without anthracnose risk, Cornus kousa cultivars with pink bracts (e.g., 'Satomi', 'Radiant Rose') offer far better disease resistance.

How to Identify

Identified by the same features as Cornus florida — oval leaves with deeply impressed parallel veins, distinctly notched white bracts — except the bracts are soft pink to rose-pink rather than white. Bract color is most saturated in cool weather and may fade toward creamy-white in warm springs. Otherwise identical in habit: horizontal tiered branching, red berry clusters in fall, distinctive onion-shaped flower buds in winter.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height15' - 25'
Width/Spread15' - 25'

Reaches mature size in approximately 12 years

Colors

Flower Colors

pink

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

red
orange

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks
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Spring
Blooms April through May simultaneously with or slightly before leaf emergence. Four pink bracts 1.5–2 inches (4–5 cm) long, each notched at the tip, surround a central cluster of inconspicuous true flowers. Bract color ranges from soft blush-pink in warm conditions to deeper rose-pink in cool spring weather — PNW springs typically favor good color development. Bloom duration is 2–3 weeks. Bright red berry clusters 0.5 inch (13 mm) ripen in September through November.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

soft pink to rose-pink bracts (notched at tip)

Foliage Description

medium green in summer; burgundy-red to scarlet in fall

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 6.5(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamsilt
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

10-15 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Care requirements are identical to those of Cornus florida. Plant in full sun in well-drained, slightly acidic, humus-rich soil with excellent air circulation — the most important measures for reducing dogwood anthracnose (Discula destructiva) risk. Avoid overhead irrigation, enclosed or shaded planting positions, and wet spring conditions that favor the pathogen. Monitor for anthracnose symptoms (tan spots with purple margins on leaves, shoot wilt, lower branch die-back with sunken cankers) and prune out affected wood 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) below visible symptoms with sterilized tools. Cornus kousa is substantially more anthracnose-resistant and is the recommended dogwood for PNW gardens.

Pruning

Prune after flowering (May through June) or in late summer in dry conditions — avoid pruning in wet spring weather. Remove dead or diseased wood promptly; cut anthracnose-infected branches 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) below visible discoloration with tools disinfected between cuts. The natural tiered habit requires minimal corrective pruning.

Pruning Schedule

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late springsummer

Maintenance Level

moderate

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets