If your dogwood tree is planted in your lawn, avoid spreading lawn fertilizer within the drip line of the tree, where feeder roots are concentrated. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Dogwoods that experience unusual weather such as temperatures that are too cool or warm or weather that is too rainy may not set buds. If the trees are planted in heavy clay soil that does not drain well, they will not produce blossoms.Dogwood trees typically cycle between years in which they produce heavy blossoms and years in which they blossom lightly. Kousa dogwood and Cornelian cherry dogwood both blossom in late winter.What appear to be flowers on dogwoods are not true flowers. Lets look at what causes a dogwood to not blossom. Provide 1 inch of water per week to young dogwood trees up to six years old. The blossom colors may be white, pink or yellow. Control plant shape or height by pruning right after flowering in the spring. In spring, these native trees (Cornus florida), which grow only to 20 to 30 feet, explode with white (or sometimes pink or red) bracts centered with small clusters of yellow flowers, shouting that winter is finally over.In summer, their blossoms give way to light green leaves that provide welcome shade. One of the early signs of spring is the blooming of dogwood trees.
The true flowers of dogwoods are clustered at the center of the bracts. Dogwoods that must compete for resources with other trees or have crowded roots will also fail to set blossoms. Both Flowering dogwood and Cornelian cherry blossom before they produce leaves, while kousa produces flowers after it has produced leaves. Young dogwood trees need time to become established before they bloom reliably. Uncultivated, dogwood grow beneath the canopy of larger trees in a forest. It leaves a homeowner wondering why would a dogwood tree not bloom? If your dogwood tree's location is too sunny, plant fast-growing deciduous or evergreen trees nearby to provide protection and shade.Vigorous growth reduces flower production in dogwood trees. Organic mulch provides a slow-release fertilizer that feeds the tree without promoting vigorous growth and reducing flower production.Prune dogwood trees to remove dead or diseased branches during the dormant season. Dogwoods often take five to seven years before they begin to bloom in earnest. Pacific dogwood (Cornus nuttallii) also blooms in the springtime but sometimes produces a second flush of bloom in the fall. There are a few reasons. Other dogwoods include kousa dogwood, Cornus kousa, and the Cornelian cherry dogwood, Cornus mas. If your dogwood tree grows with either one of these conditions and does not flower, move the tree or correct the existing conditions. Dogwood (Cornus) trees look and perform their best when planted in a partially sunny location in well-drained, fertile soil in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9.
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Trees grown from seed vary in the age that they reach maturity and begin to flower. When trees are young and putting on a large amount of new growth each year, flowering can be delayed as the tree's energy goes into development of new branches and leaves. Pacific and kousa dogwoods are more tolerant of drought conditions than flowering dogwoods. Slow growers begin their blooming cycle sooner than fast growers.Dogwoods that are unhealthy or put under stress may fail to produce blossoms. Spray cuts with Lindane insecticide to avoid infestation of Dogwood borer. Dogwoods that must compete for resources with other trees or have crowded roots will also fail to set blossoms.
If the trees are pruned after they set buds, the buds may be removed and the tree will not flower the next season.Tracy Morris has been a freelance writer since 2000.
Dense shade and full sun both hinder flowering. Most people think of the Flowering dogwood, Cornus florida, when they think of dogwoods.
Dogwood trees are often planted for the lovely spring flowers, but it can be frustrating when your dogwood tree is not blooming, especially when it looks healthy otherwise.