Dogwoods bred tough

SCRIPPS HOWARD

Native dogwoods that grow wild along the edges of the forests are among the best-loved flowering trees.

But problems arise when we try to integrate them into our own landscapes.

The native dogwood needs good drainage and afternoon shade to survive, said Jesse Howley, a garden designer at Trees by Touliatos, of Memphis, Tenn.

Even in ideal conditions, they are susceptible to several diseases and insects.

Howley thinks the best solution to the dogwood dilemma is substituting hybrids that cross diseaseresistant Chinese kousa dogwoods with the native flowering dogwoods.

So if you are in the market for a dogwood, look for hybrids with the following names: Stellar Pink, Constellation and Celestial.