Show Off Stunning Dogwood Trees With A Unique Way Of Planting Them

Many dogwoods (Cornus spp.) are grown in-ground, making them stationary beauty icons in your yard. But did you know you can also grow them in containers, too? This unexpected planting approach can turn your yard into a stunning showcase of different dogwood tree species. The most popular dogwood in the United States, the flowering dogwood (Cornus florida), also happens to be one of the best varieties to grow in a pot. And while dogwoods are hardy in zones 5 to 9, growing them in pots opens up exciting possibilities, allowing you to enjoy their beautiful blooms in colder USDA growing zones by bringing the pots inside during winter months. Another benefit of growing a container garden is that it may be the perfect solution for cramped spaces, such as small yards, balconies, or decks. 

If you dream of containers bursting with blooms in the spring, you'll have to do a bit of prep work to make sure your potted dogwoods can thrive. One of the most important factors to consider when designing a container garden is sunlight. Dogwoods prefer shaded areas and are often found growing under a covering of larger trees (such as pines) in the wild, but they do need some sunlight. Make sure you have a spot where your potted dogwood can get direct light in the morning and shade in the afternoon. 

First, you want to ensure that the soil in your chosen container can drain properly. Dogwoods thrive in areas with excellent drainage. It's essential to recreate these conditions when planting them at home, since they can't tolerate standing water or overly damp ground. Look for a container with holes in the bottom, such as the Veradek Block Series Cube Plastic Planter or the HC Companies 24 inch round classic planter. If you want to use a pretty ornamental pot without holes, consider double potting, where you place your dogwood in a smaller plastic or nursery pot that has drainage holes, and then set that pot inside the larger ornamental one. 

However, dogwoods need a lot of water in their first year or so of life, so don't be afraid to water every day if the potting medium dries out. Applying mulch, such as Rio Hamza Trading's 100% Natural Pine Bark Mulch, can help lock in the moisture. You'll also want to check their roots every so often and prune as needed to keep them from becoming rootbound.