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The White Dogwood: An American Favorite for Centuries

The White Dogwood: An American Favorite for Centuries

An excellent landscape choice for all four seasons, the White Dogwood is a favorite in many yards and gardens as it adds vibrant color to your landscape year-round. White “flowers” show their beauty in the Spring, foliage turns a vibrant red-purple in the Fall and glossy red fruits attract Winter songbirds for the enjoyment of all. Its fruit is also a favorite of songbirds and many other animals.

Wildlife

The seed, fruit, flowers, twigs, bark and leaves are all used as food by various animals. At least 36 species of birds, including ruffed grouse, bobwhite quail and wild turkey are known to eat the fruit. Chipmunks, foxes, squirrels, skunks, rabbits, deer, beaver, black bear plus other mammals, also eat the fruit. Foliage and twigs are browsed heavily by deer and rabbits.

Quirky Facts

A favorite in America for centuries, George Washington planted it at Mt. Vernon as did Thomas Jefferson at Monticello. Early Native Americans made medicinal teas from its bark and Civil War doctors used this tea as a quinine substitute.

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