‘Milky Way’ is one of the most popular cultivars sold in commerce today. It is a broad, bushy tree that is particularly noted for its abundant flowers and showy fruit. It typically matures to 20’ tall and as wide. Flower bracts are creamy white and bloom in profusion in June. Red berries mature in summer. Berries are exceptionally large and are edible (inner custard-like consistency) off the plant. Birds also love the fruit. Fruits persist on the plants into fall past the point of foliage drop. Oval, pointed, dark green leaves (to 4” long) turn orange-red to scarlet in autumn. Mottled, exfoliating, tan and gray bark is attractive in winter. Cultivar name suggests that the profuse bloom of flowers each year is suggestive of the billions of stars in the Milky Way.

Common Name: Chinese dogwood

Type: Tree

Family: Cornaceae

Zone: 4 to 8

Height: 15.00 to 20.00 feet

Spread: 15.00 to 20.00 feet

Bloom Time: April to May

Bloom Description: Creamy white bracts

Sun: Full sun to part shade

Water: Medium

Maintenance: Low

Suggested Use: Flowering Tree

Flower: Showy

Leaf: Good Fall

Attracts: Birds, Butterflies

Fruit: Showy, Edible