Growing Dogwood Trees in Containers: A Complete Guide

by

Not all dogwood shrubs and trees should be grown in containers, but certain varieties can thrive in pots

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Most people don’t think of dogwoods as trees or shrubs that do well in pots or other containers. However, certain varieties can be grown in pots.

Dogwood shrubs and trees can add impact to any space, regardless of size. Whats more, dogwoods have great seasonal interest. In spring, they produce beautiful blooms, before berries emergy in the summer. And the dogwood tree’s yellow, orange, and red leaves light up backyards in the fall. The leaves slowly fall off at the end of the year.

Many people don’t think of native dogwood trees as one of the best trees to grow in pots, but more gardeners should think about them when they plant containers in their backyard. ( credit: Getty s/Annmarie Young Photography).

Dogwood trees are prized for their showy spring blooms and attractive foliage. With their multi-season appeal, it’s no wonder gardeners look for ways to incorporate them into small spaces. Growing dogwoods in containers is possible with proper care.

Follow this guide for tips on selecting the best varieties, planting watering fertilizing, and overwintering dogwood trees in pots.

Benefits of Container Grown Dogwood Trees

There are several advantages to growing dogwoods in containers

  • Allows growing them on patios balconies and other small spaces.

  • Gives you control over the soil quality and drainage.

  • Makes it easier to move plants to optimize sunlight exposure.

  • Provides portability to bring trees indoors or protect from harsh weather.

  • Prevents invasive root systems from taking over garden beds.

  • Allows growing varieties not hardy enough for your climate zone.

Choosing Dogwood Varieties for Containers

While all dogwood species can be potted, compact varieties are best suited to life in a container. Consider these excellent options:

  • Kousa dogwood – Smaller Asian species growing 10-15 feet. Has showy white blooms.

  • Cornus sericea – Red twig dogwood that maxes out around 9 feet tall. Known for red bark.

  • Cherokee Princess – C. florida cultivar that grows slowly to just 12-15 feet. Pinkish blooms.

  • Cherokee Chief – Another compact C. florida cultivar, reaching 10 feet tall. White blooms.

Selecting the Right Container

Picking the right pot is crucial for healthy container grown dogwoods. Look for:

  • Size – At minimum 24 inches wide x 24 inches deep. This gives roots room to spread.

  • Drainage – Several drainage holes are essential to prevent waterlogging.

  • Material – Porous terra cotta, wood, resin, and concrete promote airflow. Avoid plastic.

  • Durability – Choose a sturdy, weatherproof container that won’t easily crack or chip.

  • Weight – Larger trees will be extremely heavy when potted. Pick a container you can move when needed.

Soil Requirements

Dogwoods need a very well-draining soil mix when grown in containers. Prepare your own mix by combining:

  • 1 part potting soil
  • 1 part peat moss or compost
  • 1 part perlite or builder’s sand

Or purchase a commercial potting mix formulated for roses or azaleas, which have similar needs.

How to Plant Dogwoods in Containers

Follow these simple steps when potting up a dogwood tree:

  1. Fill the pot about halfway with prepared soil mix. Add a layer of pebbles at the bottom for extra drainage.

  2. Remove the tree from its nursery pot, loosen circled roots, and place in pot.

  3. Fill remaining space with soil, then firm down gently with hands.

  4. Water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom.

  5. Mulch the top of the soil with 2-3 inches of bark, leaves, or straw.

  6. Apply a balanced organic fertilizer, following package directions.

  7. Stake the tree if needed for support.

Ongoing Care of Potted Dogwood Trees

To keep your container grown dogwoods thriving season after season, be attentive to their care needs:

  • Watering – Check soil daily and water whenever the top few inches become dry. Provide consistent moisture.

  • Fertilizing – Feed every 6-8 weeks during the growing season with a balanced organic fertilizer.

  • Pruning – In late winter, remove dead branches and shape as needed. Never heavily prune dogwoods.

  • Overwintering – Move dormant trees to an unheated garage or cellar over winter. Keep watering occasionally.

  • Repotting – Transplant into a larger container every 2-3 years as the tree grows bigger.

Follow these tips and with a little effort, you can have a beautiful dogwood tree growing happily on your patio or balcony!

Can you grow a flowering dogwood in a container? (Image credit: High Point University)

Flowering dogwoods are not typically grown in containers, but it is possible to do so. Some types of plants do better in containers than others. For example, smaller or “dwarf” types do very well.

Many standard flowering dogwood trees would likely not be a good option for a small backyard, as they can get as big as 30 feet, says Jacob Resor, plant expert and Director of Horticulture at the Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum, in East Tennessee.

He also says that the red pygmy, a dwarf variety that grows to about 7 feet tall, might do well in smaller spaces as long as it gets enough light. Some people might want to plant a regular-sized flowering dogwood and cut it back to keep it small, but this is not a good idea. Frequent pruning stresses the tree and makes it more susceptible to disease.

Lots of people who garden should also learn how to grow Cornus canadensis, or bunchberry dogwood. It’s a great plant for small spaces, says Jacob. This groundcover dogwood is one of a kind and the tiniest dogwood ever found. It has tiny white flowers and is perfect for small garden areas or pots.

Jacob Resor is the Director of Horticulture at the Knoxville Botanic Garden and Arboretum in East Tennessee. He knows a lot about plants. Scarlet Fire Dogwood.

Scarlet fire dogwood combines unique color and a long flowering season. It grows to 10 ft. tall and is a good choice for woodland gardens as well as for screening or privacy. Each offer includes one dormant bare root tree measuring 2 to 3 feet long. Hardy in US hardiness zones 5 to 9.

How should you care for a flowering dogwood in a pot? (Image credit: Getty Images/Gerald Corsi)

If the right conditions are found, like enough light, soil, and water, Jacob says dogwoods can be grown in pots. As a rule, pot-grown plants will not reach the same size they would in the ground.

Choosing the right pot and soil is one of the most important parts of taking care of dogwoods and growing them in pots. It is best to opt for a large pot with ample drainage holes. Put broken rocks or crocks in the bottom of the pot to help the soil drain properly. Then, fill the pot with potting mix that drains well and is high in organic matter.

Flowering dogwood trees that are grown in pots need to be watered often, especially when the weather is hot, like in the summer. Ensuring that the container has suitable drainage will prevent waterlogging, which can lead to root rot.

When thinking about how and when to fertilize dogwoods, it is best to do it during the growing season so the trees can grow in a healthy way. Since nutrients can be washed away quickly, flowering trees grown in pots should be fertilized often. Dogwoods should be fertilized in early spring, after the last frost but before new growth starts to show.

Apply a well-balanced, slightly acidic fertilizer, such as this azalea fertilizer from Nature Hills. It is best to stop feeding plants in late summer or early fall so that they don’t make new growth that will be damaged by frost.

Lastly, flowering dogwood trees should be protected from the winter. This is especially important if the tree is young or was just planted.

Some tree roots are more likely to get hurt by cold weather than others, and Jacob says that roots that are above ground will be more at risk. For the first few years, you might want to insulate the pot until you know how the plant will do in your area.

Driveway container redux | Planting pagoda dogwoods | The Impatient Gardener

FAQ

How to plant a potted dogwood tree?

For a tree in a container, dig a hole that is about two times the width of the container it came in so the roots have some space to extend into. The depth of the hole should be about 1/4 less than the depth of the container since you want the top of the root ball to above ground level.

What month is best to plant a dogwood tree?

Planting dogwoods in the fall gives the plants a better chance to establish a good root system before the coldest part of our winter weather. Planting in the December means less watering and maintenance to keep the young tree.

Why are dogwoods hard to grow?

If the soil’s pH is too high or low, the roots may not be able to access phosphorus and other essential minerals, resulting in stunted growth. Gardeners have found success in mulching around the base of their Dogwood trees which helps retain moisture and add additional nutrients in organically rich soils.

Can dogwood trees be kept small?

If you are worried about your dogwood getting too tall, you can confidently prune the remaining branches by a third to a half of their length. If you would like to keep as many flowers as possible, cut just above the flower buds like in the image below.

Leave a Comment