Cornus florida also known as North American Flowering Dogwood is small bushy tree with dark green, oval foliage turning a richly coloured red and purple in autumn. In May, clusters of small, green flowers are surrounded by conspicuous white or pink bracts, followed by rounded, orange-red fruit. The hard wood is extremely shock-resistant and useful for making weaving-shuttles. It is also made into spools, small pulleys, mallet heads, and jeweller’s blocks. Indians used the aromatic bark and roots as a remedy for malaria and extracted a red dye from the roots.Cornus Growing Tips: Thrives in fertile, humus-rich, neutral to acid soil. Unsuitable for shallow, chalky soils.Height and Spread (After 20 years): 3m x 3mPicture image courtesy of Frank P Matthews shows plant when in flowerSold in a 12 litre pot.