Can a dogwood tree tolerate the south Texas elements?
Answers: Dogwoods are picky little trees that can be hard to go and get established when transplanting. They are native to my sector of Texas (East) and they are all over the woods, but I own never had any luck getting a bought one to grow contained by my yard. They articulate they like bitter soil (same as azaleas), so they should be heavily mulched with pine yelp or pine straw (that's acidic). They are understory trees, which means they typically grow underneath other larger trees to block out some of the hottest sun. The perfect situation is to put them lower than pine trees--that way they obtain the acid soil and the shade. If you don't enjoy any larger trees around your planting site, and it gets no shade from the house or other structures, the tree may not tolerate it.
Look around the nouns....do you see other ones growing, either local or planted? Do you see any for sale at the nurseries? If you enjoy a hard time finding any, or if they don't seem to be to be thriving, then your answer is probably no.
If you see some, or if you are determined to try it, attain a tree from a nursery or retailer that offers a guarantee, and follow adjectives the instructions for planting. It's best to wait until dribble when they go dormant, for South Texas that may be powerfully into Dec. You can go ahead and verbs the hole now and be conditioning the soil up to that time the ground gets knotty after a freeze. If you can't find a tree locally, be sure to check the growing zone of the one you order to kind sure it is rated for your nouns.
If there is a college or university implicit you with a horticulture dept., you could also consult them, or collaborate to someone at your county extension office. They usually hold tip sheets on everything or can answer questions over the phone or e-mail.
I'm growing Cornus florida 'Rubra' and Cornus controversa 'Variegata' surrounded by inland Australia (temp ranges from 20 deg F to 110 deg F), hot and dry. Both have survived, Rubra get some leaf burning by the expire of the season and and is in the semi shade. Cornus controversa "variegata" which is supposed to be just cold climate tolerant hasn't looked back contained by full sun for most of the day even next to the variegation. I also find the red stemmed varieties rather viable. The controversa and the red stems are in bed that are regularly watered with well brought-up drainage. Don't worry to much in the region of soil mine is neutral to alkaline. I other plant shrubs/trees in autumn, but I don't capture snow and this may effect the timing if you do. If you really love them give them a budge, some afternoon shade would be an advantage, but they give the impression of being to need some sun.
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