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Can a dogwood that’s supposed to bloom pink actually bloom white?
So, can a pink dogwood end up blooming white too? We get that question a lot. And the answer is kind of complicated.
To start, are you absolutely certain you’re growing a pink dogwood cultivar?
If you aren’t 100% certain that your dogwood is a cultivated variety bred specifically to bloom pink, your tree may be a white one. Unfortunately, this happens a lot. Even if the plant label said “pink dogwood”, you might have bought one that isn’t going to keep blooming true pink over time.
Did you know that dogwoods aren’t just trees. This is a ground cover dogwood.
Okay, if you know you have a pink dogwood, but it’s suddenly flowering white…
So there might be a few reasons this is happening to your tree. For instance:
- If your tree was grafted and the white flowering part is growing from below the graft point, that’s probably the issue. That’s because the root stock below the graft point comes from a tree that flowers white instead of pink. And if it is blooming pink above the graft point, that’s because a pink dogwood was grafted to that white rootstock.
- If your pink dogwood is a pink variety but not a pink cultivated variety, it may be reverting. That’s because the pink is probably a weaker genetic than the white. So, white wins.
And, if you’re wondering why your white blooms are turning pink…
As many white dogwood blooms age, the petals turn color. And often that means the white “flowers” start taking on hints of pink.
But here’s a cool fact about dogwood blooms: Those “petals” aren’t really flowers. Instead, they’re modified leaves.
And no matter what color your dogwood flowers were at the start, the reality is any dogwood bloom can change from white to pink to many other colors as they age. Sometimes they’ll even start looking burgundy or streaked with deeper colors over time.
Soumaya, Thanks for sharing your red-flowering dogwood story. It’s not surprising that it bloomed well the first year — after coming from the grower/nursery where they would be pushing it to really strut its stuff. And it’s not surprising it didn’t flower much the second year. In our experience, flowering dogwoods can take several years to become established, really start growing vigorously and then begin to flower. (In fact, what we call flower petals on dogwood trees are actually modified leaves. Only the small interior part of the “flower” is actually the flower.)
There are several cultivated varieties (cultivars) of red flowering dogwood. It would be helpful to know which cultivar you planted. With that information, you might be able to narrow down any known issues with them. Or, if it isn’t a named cultivar and is some kind of naturally occurring variety, it may be that it has a reversion problem going on. Too, it might be related to the soil. Sometimes soil pH can affect the color some plants bloom; hydrangeas are a primary example. But, it might be at play here too.
If you can determine your cultivar, you might do some research into who grows them (or ask at the nursery where you purchased it). The grower may be able to provide specific details on what to expect from your red flowering dogwood (that isn’t flowering so red anymore.)
Good luck & let us know what you learn, please!
My 25 year old Cherokee Chief dogwood purchased from a reputable nursery and marked as such has over the years bloomed a gradually more intense red pink as it is supposed to be. Two years ago they were the most brilliant red and eye catching to the neighborhood. This year the bracts are white and pale pink. How can I get it back to the reddish hue?
JMN,
Thanks for writing in. It could be something going on with your soil. It could be that the greater environment the tree is in has changed, which might be affecting the color. You might try reaching out to the grower that produced it to see if they’ve found this tree is reverting in ways you’re seeing. Good luck. Keep in touch & let us know how things progress for you!
I have a 20 year old Cherokee chief that has never bloomed and appears very healthy. I am stymied by it’s lack of flowers.
Dogwoods can be strange bloomers that way. We have one that’s nearly that old and this was the first year it put on a good show. The “flower petals” of dogwoods are actually modified leaves. It may be that your dogwood needs more photosynthesizing power, so it’s putting more energy into green leaves rather than producing pink ones and flowers. In the past, we’ve notices blooms on our version of a pink flowering dogwood, but what should be pink petals are more mottled greenish ones. In the end, a lot can go into why a tree does what it does. Sunlight, soil, moisture, maturity and more can play into it. Here’s hoping yours surprises you one year soon!
We bought a house 3 1/2 years ago with several white dogwood trees. They all bloomed the first year we were here. One didn’t bloom at all the second year. This year the one that didn’t bloom last year is a vivid pink this year!!