Dogwood, Giant ‘June Snow’

Description:

Remember that sacred tree of spring, the dogwood? The one that inspires awe for a few short weeks and then is promptly forgotten about for the rest of the year? It so happens that this dogwood family houses a renegade—one that breaks the rules but does it so beautifully that nobody cares. The giant dogwood ‘June Snow’ disregards the classic four creamy bracts of its cousins in favor of large, fine-textured bunches of flowers that look like patches of spilled sugar, or as the name implies, melting snow.  This type of flower is common enough in the smaller, shrubby members of the dogwood family, but the ‘June Snow’ refuses to be small or shrubby. At 35 feet tall and at least that wide, it’s a giant for the dogwood clan.
When late summer/early fall hits, the creamy bunches of tiny flowers develop into clusters of blue-black berries. This suits the bird population perfectly, since the berries are high in fat and calcium and make the perfect high-protein snack. As autumn progresses, June Snow’ can’t seem to make up its mind what shade to choose for its leaves, ranging its options from orange all the way to purple. Which fall shade you end up with will depend on your particular tree, so you just have to hope that you and the tree think alike.
Like other dogwoods, the giant dogwood wants part shade and plenty of water. Although rumored to be more tolerant of heat than its cousins ‘June Snow’ should still be planted as an understory tree so it doesn’t scorch in the blazing sun. Moist, well-drained soil and plenty of room for its wide crown will help keep you and your giant dogwood happy as well. What better place than your big front yard for the giant dogwood ‘June Snow’ to step over lines and win over hearts?