Dogwood, also known by its botanical name *Cornus*, is a total garden favorite that looks great all year round. It’s super versatile, but if you’re getting ready to add one to your yard, you’re probably wondering: when is the best time to actually get it in the ground? Let’s break it down.
Can You Plant Dogwood Year-Round?
The short answer is: pretty much! Most dogwoods you buy at the nursery come as container-grown plants with well-established root systems. Because they already have a solid head start, the exact timing of when you plant them isn’t a huge deal.
Dogwoods are incredibly hardy and can handle cold winters like a champ. This means you can even plant them right before the first frost, provided the roots are strong enough. Just a heads-up: if you’re planting a very young shrub with a smaller root ball in the dead of winter, you might want to give it a little extra mulch or winter protection just to be safe.
Times to Avoid (If Possible)
Even though these shrubs are tough, there are a couple of times when planting is a bit of a headache:
- Frozen winter days when the ground is rock hard.
- Scorching, dry summer days.
Technically, you *can* plant in winter, but digging a hole in frozen soil is no fun for anyone. On the flip side, planting during a summer heatwave means your new shrub is going to be incredibly thirsty. You’ll find yourself out there with the garden hose constantly to make sure it doesn’t dry out. So, while it’s doable, it’s definitely more work!
The Sweet Spot: Spring and Fall
If you want to give your dogwood the absolute best start, aim for spring or fall. In the spring, try to get it in the ground before it starts leafing out or hits its blooming season. Why? Because the plant is still somewhat dormant and won’t need quite as much water to settle in.
For fall planting, September and October are your golden months. However, as long as the weather stays relatively mild, you can keep planting well into the later months without any issues.
What About Potted Dogwoods?
If you’re planning on keeping your dogwood in a large container or a planter on your balcony, you’ve got even more flexibility. Since you aren’t dealing with garden soil conditions, you can pretty much pot them up whenever the mood strikes!
