Dogwood (Cornus 'Rutgan' STELLAR PINK)
Discover Cornus 'Rutgan' STELLAR PINK Dogwood, a low-maintenance tree with showy pink blooms resistant to common pests.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Cornus ‘Rutgan’ STELLAR PINK Dogwood is a highly valued hybrid developed for its superior garden performance and aesthetic appeal. As part of the esteemed Stellar series released by Rutgers University, this cultivar offers gardeners a dense, upright specimen tree celebrated for its profuse bloom display each spring. Gardeners will appreciate the vigorous nature of this Dogwood, which also boasts noted resistance to anthracnose and the dogwood borer, two major concerns with other varieties.
This small deciduous Tree matures predictably, maintaining a uniform width relative to its height, typically reaching 15 to 30 feet tall in suitable conditions. The primary ornamental draw comes from the large, overlapping, petal-like pink bracts that surround the insignificant true flowers, creating a spectacular springtime show. Its dark green foliage transitions to pleasing purple-red tones in the autumn, offering multi-season interest.
Planting the Cornus ‘Rutgan’ STELLAR PINK ensures a reliable source of spring color without the intensive chemical treatments often required by less resilient Dogwood species. Its low maintenance profile and adaptability to sunny or partially shaded spots make it an excellent choice for residential landscapes seeking dependable beauty.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Cornaceae
- Plant Type: Tree
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 15-30 ft
- Spread: 15-30 ft
- Bloom Time: April to May
- Bloom Description: Pink
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
The ideal time to plant your Cornus ‘Rutgan’ STELLAR PINK is in the spring or fall when temperatures are mild, allowing the roots to establish before summer heat or winter frost. This Dogwood thrives best in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils. While it tolerates general conditions, it strongly prefers soil that is organically rich and slightly acidic, especially if grown in a part-shade location.
Consistent moisture is key for this species. Aim for medium watering, ensuring the soil does not dry out completely, particularly during its first few growing seasons. To help roots remain cool and conserve moisture—a critical factor for Dogwoods—apply a 2-4 inch layer of organic mulch around the base, keeping it pulled back slightly from the trunk.
Maintenance for the Cornus ‘Rutgan’ STELLAR PINK is generally low, thanks to its resistance profile. Pruning should be minimal, focusing on removing dead, damaged, or crossing interior branches to maintain good air circulation. Avoid heavy pruning during the active growing season. Because this cultivar is sterile and does not produce fruit, there is no concern regarding fruit cleanup or seed dispersal.
Landscape Uses
The Cornus ‘Rutgan’ STELLAR PINK excels as a specimen tree due to its striking spring flowers and pleasing structure. It is perfectly scaled for placement near homes, nestled along patios, or as an accent within a manicured lawn area, where its form can be fully appreciated. When planted in small groupings, it creates an incredible mass of pink color along property borders or entryways.
For woodland gardens, this hybrid performs admirably under dappled light, pairing well with shade-tolerant groundcovers and understory shrubs like various ferns or hostas. In mixed shrub borders, complement its pink bracts with plants featuring deep green or dark burgundy foliage for high contrast. Its dependable fall color also means it coordinates well with late-season interest shrubs.
As a mature flowering tree, the Dogwood anchors smaller garden designs, providing necessary vertical structure without overwhelming confined spaces. Use it where year-round interest is desired, leveraging the flower show, dense summer foliage, and clear autumn tones.
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Cornus is a genus of about 45 species of mainly deciduous shrubs and small trees; the genus name comes from the Latin word cornus meaning “horn,” possibly referencing the wood’s strength and density. The STELLAR PINK is a robust hybrid developed by Elwin R. Orton, Jr. (Cornus florida x Cornus kousa), noted for its vigor, large pink bracts, profuse bloom, and enhanced resistance to common ailments like anthracnose. This small tree has a uniform, dense, upright habit, and its showy flower bracts are rounded and overlapping, creating a large, flat, pink display in spring above dark green foliage that turns attractive shades of purple-red in the fall.
Tolerances
- Deer
Potential Problems
While the Cornus ‘Rutgan’ STELLAR PINK offers good resistance, Dogwoods, when stressed, can still fall prey to various diseases and pests. The most serious threat to stressed trees generally remains dogwood anthracnose, though this cultivar shows good resistance. Other potential issues include leaf spot, powdery mildew, crown canker, and root rot, often exacerbated by poor drainage or drought.
Stressed trees also become vulnerable to insect pests such as borers, although the STELLAR PINK is also noted for good resistance to dogwood borer. Leaf scorch is a manageable problem that can occur if the tree is planted in excessively hot, dry, or windy full-sun locations without adequate supplemental water.
Prevention is the best medicine; ensure proper siting in well-drained, moist soil and keep roots cool with an annual mulch application. Never allow newly planted specimens to suffer drought conditions, as this stress invites susceptibility to nearly all listed issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Dogwood suitable for?
This Dogwood is suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 9.
How large does Cornus ‘Rutgan’ STELLAR PINK grow?
At maturity, the Cornus ‘Rutgan’ STELLAR PINK typically reaches a height between 15 and 30 feet and spreads to a similar width of 15 to 30 feet.
What sun exposure does Cornus ‘Rutgan’ STELLAR PINK need?
This plant prefers a location receiving full sun to part shade, ideally favoring moist, organically rich, acidic soils when situated in partial shade.
When does Dogwood bloom?
The ornamental pink blooms of the Dogwood appear reliably from April to May.
Conclusion
The Cornus ‘Rutgan’ STELLAR PINK stands out as a resilient and beautiful choice for spring gardens, delivering spectacular pink blooms with low maintenance requirements and better-than-average disease resistance. Integrating this robust Dogwood into your landscape provides structure, color, and reliable seasonal interest for years to come. Before planting, verify that your local zone falls within USDA 5-9 and prepare the site with rich, well-drained soil.
Companion Planting
Selecting companions for the Cornus ‘Rutgan’ STELLAR PINK should focus on plants sharing similar preferences for organic-rich, well-drained, acidic soil and consistent moisture. In woodland or shade garden settings, consider planting low-growing ferns (like Japanese Painted Ferns) or shade-loving perennials such as Hellebores or Astilbe beneath its canopy. These choices provide textural contrast without competing aggressively for root space.
If planting in a sunnier open lawn setting, pair it with foundation shrubs that offer complementary texture early or late in the season, such as evergreen Rhododendrons or Azaleas, provided their soil acidity requirements are met. Avoid planting shallow-rooted turfgrass too close to the base, as competition for moisture can stress the Dogwood.
Seasonal Care Calendar
Spring is the season to anticipate the spectacular pink bloom of the Cornus ‘Rutgan’ STELLAR PINK. Once flowering is complete, apply a fresh layer of organic mulch (2-4 inches deep) to regulate soil temperature and retain crucial moisture. Summer care focuses entirely on consistent, medium watering, especially during dry spells, to keep the medium soil consistently moist.
As fall approaches, monitor the leaf color change to rich purple-red hues; this is a good time for a final deep watering before the ground freezes. Winter is the period for structural assessment; prune only to remove any clearly dead or damaged wood, ensuring cuts are clean and avoiding excessive removal during dormancy.
