|
| Hi all,
Does anyone grow flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) in the Chicago area? I am considering an 'Appalachian Spring' in a very sheltered partially shaded position on the northeast side of my house. My soil is on the alkaline side, but I see plenty of people in my neighborhood (including me) that have succeeded with rhododendrons, azaleas and Cornus kousa. It would be planted in very well drained sandy loam in an area with an automatic sprinkler system. I am located about one mile west of Lake Michigan on the north side of urban Chicago. My USDA and ArborDay zone is firmly 6a, though for the past several winters my microclimate has amazingly been more in the 6b/7a range. My parents directly across the lake from me in Michigan near Kalamazoo have Cornus florida growing wild in their woods. More than anything, I wonder why I don't seem to see it very often in the Chicago area? Does it just not do well here? Should I risk planting one? |
Follow-Up Postings:
|
| It has been annihilated due to disease in the midwest. Hybrids have been grown in their place. If there is something unique about this cultibar roll with it otherwise find the hybrids. I'm growing 'Rutban' and it flowers quite well. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Hybrids
|
| Whaas, thank you for your input! 'Appalachian Spring' is advertised as being highly resistant to the anthracnose disease and that is why it was selected for clonal propagation. Do you think this is true or just marketing hype? How horrible that they have been/are being annihilated! |
|
- Posted by akamainegrower none (My Page) on Sat, Aug 18, 12 at 5:10
| It's not just marketing hype. The University of Tenneesee did extensive testing, including DNA analysis, and this cultivar does show excellent resistance to dogwood anthracnose. That does not mean it will be a success in your particular location - there are many other dogwood diseases and 'resistant' does not mean 'immune' - but I'd say it's definitely worth a try. Good culture can go a long way toward ensuring maximum disease resistance for all cornus florida trees. |
|
| Not knowing much about that cultivar and now doing some quick research it "appears" to be the best C. florida cultivar out there right now. |
Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum. If you are a member, please log in. If you aren't yet a member, join now!
Return to the Trees Forum
Instructions
- You must be a registered member and logged in to post messages on our forums.
- Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review the contents and make changes.
- After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
- It is illegal to post copyrighted material without the owner's consent.
- HTML codes are allowed in the message field only.
- No advertising is allowed in any of the forums.
- If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
- If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.