When Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) blooms in spring, people stop and take notice.
The bright white “petals,” which are actually bracts, surround a cluster of small flowers in the center. These flowers are only one-quarter inch in diameter and exude a wonderful fragrance when they bloom.
During the summer months, the fertilized flowers mature into green drupes. Notice the leaf shape and venation which help to identify this medium-sized tree.
At the same time as the fruits (drupes) develop during the summer months, Flowering dogwood grows new flower buds for next spring.
In the fall, the drupes mature to a bright red color.
The fall leaf color is also strikingly beautiful.
Watch this video about Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) to learn more about the small flowers, to watch the development of flower buds from summer through the next spring, and to observe the variety of leaf colors the tree may have in the fall.
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These dogwood trees are common in the San Bernardino mountains, north above the city of San Bernardino near Lake Arrowhead and Crestline in California.