| I have a red dogwood that has not bloomed for six years. What can I do? |
| Dogwoods often are shy bloomers, meaning they need to settle in after planting which can take several years. They also need to gain sufficient maturity before they will bloom. The flower buds are formed the previous year, so any late season pruning would remove them; drought or stress the previous year can also reduce blooming. Dogwoods are shallow rooted and resent disturbance to their root zone, too. Probably the best thing you can do is make sure the plant receives enough water during dry spells so that the soil stays moist but not soggy or sopping wet. It should be kept moist right through fall until the ground freezes. Several inches of mulch over the root zone can help keep the soil cool and moist. |
