Dogwood has few blooms - Ask Extension
My large and beautiful dogwood tree has lush leafing but only 4 blooms this year. I think it's a pink pacific, it has very light pink blooms. I've n...
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Dogwood has few blooms #645187
Asked June 02, 2020, 11:30 PM EDT
My large and beautiful dogwood tree has lush leafing but only 4 blooms this year. I think it's a pink pacific, it has very light pink blooms. I've never had a lot of blooms. I haven't fertilized it, and I can follow fertilizing directions, but it has a lot of lichen and the bark of the base looks like the bark may be unhealthy, so I am asking for a look and want to know if I need to do anything more than fertilize. II also plan to trim it quite a bit. I have uploaded a photo of the flower, the leafing, and two of the base.
Thanks!!
Multnomah County Oregon
Expert Response
Is your dogwood growing in full sun? If yes they are less apt to bloom when they get sun all day. They like partial shade.
Also the fertilizer you are providing promotes growth of branches and leaves and also hinders flower production. I would stop fertilizing the tree.
Lastly, depending on when/how you prune, it could impact flower production. Based on the photos you've provided, I would focus on thinning cuts to remove duplicative branches. Here is a good article on pruning ornamental plants:
Good luck.
