We struggled for years to grow the commercial selections of the mostly heat-intolerant, North American native, alternate-leaf dogwood, Cornus alternifolia, which naturally ranges from Canada south to Alabama. It wasn’t until years 30 years ago when local botanist Jesse Perry provided us with seed from a local disjunct population, that we had plants to survive here at JLBG. When I heard about a population that was discovered in 2016 by plantsman Rick Lewandowski, in Jasper County, Texas, I was shocked, since this new Texas population is 260 miles from the closest population in Mississippi, and 360 miles from the closest population in Arkansas.
In 2019, we were able to acquire a plant of the Texas material, which has thrived as you can see below. Our specimen is growing in an unirrigated bed, under large pines, so the conditions are approaching xeric in summer, and certainly far less than ideal for a dogwood. Despite, this mistreatment, the plant is thriving, and the growth in late July looks as fresh as it did in spring. In addition, the foliage is a much more glossy green than typical Cornus alternifolia. I’m confident this represents a new species to science, and look forward to it being named.
That is really interesting. Genetic analysis might reveal why this population is so much more drought resistant.
Thank you very much for these daily inspiring piece of horticultural information that I truly enjoy.
Hope to be able to visit the nursery one day.
Greetings from a very dry area of Germany.
That is amazing! How are the blossoms?
The flowers are typical for Cornus alternifolia.
heat-intolerant?
The northern US genetics are very heat intolerant, but not this one.
The Texas dogwood might have connections to Mexico. There is a population in Cedar Hill, Texas that appears more tolerant of higher pH soil that might possibly link back to Mexico.
I’ve visited the Cornus florida population in Cedar Hill, Texas. Indeed, all of our native East Coast Cornus florida, originated in China, then migrated first to Mexico, then back into the United States. As we like to explain to folks, native isn’t a place in location, it is only a place in time.
Tony, this is a personal note. I have a Cornus controversia that I got in Atlanta years ago at a Conifer Society meeting plant auction. It was a donation from Gary Gee at his nursery in Michigan. It has done well for over 10 years in Greenville, S.C. The reason I like it so much is that it came from a plant auction to raise funds for the society, and the personal touch of knowing Gary Gee. Plant societies and places like North Carolina State bond gardeners together. Many of the plants in my garden have a story, and I find it hard not to retell it when new visitors come by. Tony, where would you be without your stories?