Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Your gift keeps resources like this database thriving!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Saturday - November 21, 2015

From: El Dorado Hills, CA
Region: California
Topic: Propagation, Trees
Title: Propagation of Pacific dogwood
Answered by: Guy Thompson

QUESTION:

When do I plant Pacific dogwood seeds? How deep and far apart should they be planted? The elevation will be around 5k.

ANSWER:

Pick ripe berries that are completely red-orange in color and which come off the tree easily. Probably the most authoritative information concerning Cornus nuttallii (Pacific dogwood) propagation, as summarized here, comes from the work of Arthur Kruckeberg.  He recommends removing the fleshy coat from the seed and planting outdoors in the fall. Alternatively, the cleaned seed can be stored overwinter at 30-40 degrees F. and planted in the spring.  Planting depth should be about half an inch.  If planting in flats space the seeds about six inches apart and transplant the seedlings into a partially shaded outdoor site.  But I would recommend planting the seed directly in the soil in your chosen site, because it has been reported that germination can be very slow, even up to 18 months.

This website gives tips as to good planting sites and choice companion plants.

 

From the Image Gallery


Pacific dogwood
Cornus nuttallii

More Trees Questions

Plants for oak shade from Whitney TX
December 24, 2012 - I live in Whitney, Texas and have a number of beautiful Live Oak trees in a portion of my yard providing deep shade. Asian Jasmine grows in about 5 ft circle around them and then nothing! I have walk ...
view the full question and answer

Pinus taeda (Loblolly pines) for a property in Van Zandt County, Texas
March 17, 2015 - I want to initiate a stand of loblolly pine trees on our property in Van Zandt County in NE Texas. Assuming the ph factor is within range, how do I obtain seedings for this endeavor? Any other advic...
view the full question and answer

Plants for full-sun landscape
November 20, 2007 - I live in a very rocky area just outside of Fort Worth, TX. It's taken me all spring, summer & now I'm going into the fall, to landscape just 30 feet in front of my house. The front of the house get...
view the full question and answer

Non-native pomegranate failing to fruit from Highland Village TX
October 20, 2012 - Last spring I planted a pomegranate tree (type: Wonderful) which is supposed to produce edible fruit. It had 5 or 6 absolutely beautiful blooms, but each of them dropped off and no sign of fruit. Is...
view the full question and answer

Grafting Shumard Oak to Decrease Acorn Bearing Age in New Orleans
September 23, 2010 - Can a Shumard Oak that is bearing acorns (30 yrs. old)be grafted to a seedling in order to decrease the bearing of the tree in a similar manner as grafting pecan trees? Can it be propagated by any me...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.