We lost most of the native dogwoods on our property as a result of the hot, dry summer of 2016. In fact, a few weeks ago I was cutting dead dogwoods to eke out enough fuel for the last cold nights of the winter. We didn’t see any blooms last spring, so we feared there were actually none left alive. But now the dogwoods seem to have recovered, and we’re noticing a few on our property and lots more in the woods.
I took this panorama Tuesday as I walked down Fouche Gap Road into Texas Valley.
There are several, somewhat hard-to-see dogwoods in this image. As native, understory trees, they are kind of leggy, without the nice, full shape of a specimen plant in a landscaped yard, but I was happy to see them scattered here and there in the woods. I was also happy to see at least three blooming right outside our dining room window.
There are also several native azaleas blooming down in the wetter lower slopes.They have pink blossoms that look like honeysuckle blossoms. There is at least one in the image, but it’s really hard to see. This is a closer look.
Our native azaleas are deciduous, unlike the types most people plant in their yards. We planted one at our old house, but it never did much. They may need more moisture than we had there.
The county where my property is seems to lack the necessary enzyme that dogwoods need to grow. I planted 50 in my woods, and none survived. When I drive to the next county, they line the roads like a mocking rebuke.
I’d like to put a nice specimen dogwood near my cabin if I can figure out the soil business. It is the state tree for Missouri after all.
Really nice to see those dogwoods come back. Spring flowers are always so full of promise and beauty.
Paul — Losing 50 dogwoods that I had planted would be a very hard thing for me to bear. I would probably end up beating the earth with my shovel.
Robin — I do love the sight of dogwoods blooming in the woods.