‘Bernice’ Evergreen Dogwood

Cornus kousa x angustata ‘Bernice’

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 6a-9b Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Evergreen Tree in Zone 9 | Semi-Deciduous in Zones 7-9 | Deciduous in Zone 6

Height at Maturity: 15-20′

Width at Maturity: 10-15′

Growth Habit / Form: Upright

Growth Rate: Slow to Moderate

Flower Color: Opens Soft Green aging to White

Flower Size: 3″

Flowering Period: Spring

Flower Type: Single

Fragrant Flowers: No

Foliage Color: Medium to Dark Green

Fragrant Foliage: No

Sun Needs: Morning Sun with Dappled or Afternoon Shade, Filtered Sun

Water Needs: Average, Low when established

Soil Type: Clay (Amend heavy clay to ensure good drainage), Loam, Sand, Silt

Soil Moisture / Drainage: Moist But Well Drained

Soil pH: 5.0 – 6.5 Slightly to Moderately Acidic

Maintenance / Care: Very Low when left in it’s natural form

Attracts: Pollinating Insects, Visual Attention, Songbirds

Resistances: Deer – more info, Disease, Heat, Insect, Mildew

Description

Chinese evergreen dogwoods, Cornus angustata, are a relatively new group of landscape trees. Although they’ve been around since the 1990’s, they aren’t widely seen in landscapes, partly because many selections lack the floriferous quality of deciduous varieties. But that’s all changed with ‘Bernice’, a new and currently scarce variety that shows off an abundance of big white flowers larger than we’ve seen on any other evergreen dogwood. The bracted flowers emerge a soft green color aging to near white and stand out marvelously against the backdrop of elongated dark green leaves. Translucent, strawberry-like fruits follow and persist through winter to provide additional interest in the landscape and food for the birds.

During mild winters here in USDA Zone 8a of Georgia, the leaves on our tree remain bright green all the way through November, then gradually turn reddish-purple until spring when new growth eventually pushes the old leaves off. North of Zone 8 this tree can be semi-evergreen to deciduous during colder winters.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing 15 to 20 feet tall and 10 to 15 feet wide, the Bernice Evergreen Dogwood is ideal for use as a specimen or in groupings in partially shaded landscape and woodland borders. Also effective as a small accent tree in home foundation plantings and to provide beauty and some shade around patios, porches and other outdoor living spaces. Dogwoods always fit perfectly in the edges of woodland borders. A fine addition to white theme gardens, Azalea gardens, cottage and woodland gardens.

Growing Preferences

Dogwood trees are easy to grow when planted right and in the right spot. They prefer a moist but well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. As with many other types of ornamental trees, constantly soggy or wet soils can be problematic. Though dogwoods will tolerate full sun, we think they look and perform their best with some shade or filtered sun during the hot afternoon hours.

Note: Find helpful advice from our experts under the Planting & Care tab above on desktop screens or below on mobile phones.

Plant Long & Prosper!

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We had been looking locally for an evergreen Dogwood for a good while. Finally let Mr. Google help and we found Wilson Bros.! Product came in a well marked cardboard box and was in excellent shape! We know it’s not the “best” time to plant a tree , but, Bernice is in the ground in Texas!!———————————–Thanks for the photo! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy Bernice (my grandmother’s name) for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and wonderful review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG