Cornus nuttallii

Mountain dogwood, Cornus nuttallii, is the showiest and most tree like dogwood along the west coast. It grows into nicely structured a tree up to 30 ft tall. Mountain dogwood has large snow white flowers, that are especially brilliant along the shady forested roads along Yosemite valley. Mountain dogwood is very garden tolerant and likes good drainage, garden water, rich soil, and some shade. As the story was told to us,"if you can get Cornus nuttallii to grow past the 10th year or so they get less temperamental and will flower and grow fine with little care". This was from a customer in Berkeley, California. Plants at the nursery have frozen in the winter at 10 degrees F., they also like some summer humidity. Expect to have problems with it when you plant it unless you are within its range. Plant is a show stopper if you can make it happy.