Are you looking for an unusual accent tree for your front yard?

Please allow me to suggest a little known tree called the SWAMP DOGWOOD. I have had one in my yard for 15 years and it is a “show stopper” when it blooms in late April (see photo). Everyone knows about the Southern Magnolia because it’s our State Flower and lots of people have one or more of those trees in their yard. However, the Swamp Dogwood doesn’t have such a reputation and is little known as an accent plant.

After the flowers fade they make small purple seeds galore. I have seen as many as 12 birds at the same time in my tree eating those seeds. Even birds that are usually ground feeders find themselves eating from this tree. It’s because the seeds have a high sugar content.

Here are some facts about the Swamp Dogwood: The tree usually grows to be about twenty feet high or more.

They bloom in late April.

The blossoms are solid white.

The flowers are in clusters.

This tree grows to be about 2 to 3 inches in diameter.

The leaves are a light green on both sides.

The root system is that of a SPREADING nature.

The bark is a light gray/green color.

This tree likes moist to wet sites.

This is a tree that likes to be LEFT ALONE…….(My kind of tree). It needs no fertilizer, extra water, or soil amendments. The tree has no insect or disease enemies.

CAUTION: The trees roots send up suckers that will form other trees in places where you do not want the same tree.

This tree is sometimes hard to find. They grow best in plant zone 8 but will also do well in zone 9. Your best bet of finding one is in a nursery that advertises these trees on the NET. Just type in: “Description of a Swamp Dogwood” in your search engine such as Google. There you will find more information about tree and where you, might order one or more if you want to.

(Narrative and photo provided by Jena native Gale Trussell)