Flowering Dogwood

Cornus florida

This flowering dogwood sits right on Bellevue Ave, on the grounds of the Isaac Bell House, under the stewardship of the Preservation Society of Newport County.  In the above photo, its 4 white bracts (modified leaves) support about 20 small umbel shaped flowers that haven’t opened yet.

A native of Rhode Island and the wider eastern U.S., these dogwoods are susceptible to a fungal disease, anthracnose. This unfortunately has caused the plant to fall out of favor and noteworthy specimens are few and far between.

The saving grace of this particular tree is that, even though there are trees surrounding it, it is growing in full sun, and has likely been treated for the disease.  Flowering dogwoods favor moist, shady under-story environments, but so does the fungus that infects it.  Planting in full sun, though not ideal, helps to keep disease at bay. Fungal spores have a harder time taking hold with the increased air circulation and drier conditions.