Cornus Nuttallii

 

Cornus nuttallii (flower)

 

Cornus nuttalli's original habitat is the U.S. west coast, where it can be found from British Columbia (Canada) down to California. Eventually, nuttalli grows out to a tree of about 7.5m high. It has a somewhat loose growth habit. Cornus nuttalli blossoms from mid-April until the end of May with flower hearts of 2cm in diameter. These hearts are surrounded by 4 to 7 bracts. Because of these bracts, the entire flower may reach 8-14cm in diameter. A blossoming tree is a beautiful sight to see. Flowerbuds are created throughout the summer and remain visible through autumn and winter as small green flowers with a clearly distinguishable heart and bracts. After blossoming, groups of orange/red berries appear, although these are rarely seen in our region. Nuttalli's leaves are oval shaped and of a leather-like texture. During summer, they turn dark green and shiny. In autumn, the leaves curl and turn to beautiful shades of bright red and orange. Cornus nuttalli grows well in the sun and partial shade. It is recommended to plant the nuttalli in a place sheltered from the wind, as windy condition will cause a slow growth and brown stains on the leaves. Cornus nuttalli can be trimmed, although this should be limited to 1 or 2 year- old twigs. Older branches should be left alone as large wounds will only slowly heal and offer an entry point to all kinds of fungi, which eventually may kill your Cornus. Various nuttalli cultivars have been developed through the years and are widely available. Cornus nuttalli is winterproof. 

 

 

   

Cornus nuttallii (flower right and left In fall applied flower button).