Cornus nuttallii, Mountain or Pacific Dogwood, is the emblematic tree of the City of Dunsmuir and the Dunsmuir Botanical Gardens. They are native to the Gardens and the surrounding area. What appear to be flower petals are actually bracts – petal-like modified leaves. The (mostly) inconspicuous true flowers are ringed by four to eight of the showy, white bracts. In fall as the flower ovaries develop and set buds, they turn a bright yellow with red seeds.

Our native dogwoods dislike routine garden watering, fertilizing and pruning. For better chance of success, give exceptionally good drainage and infrequent summer water. Plant under high-branching trees so bark will not sunburn.