It’s not hard to see why the Eastern Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) is considered one of Europe’s most breathtaking native trees. These magnificent flowering trees dazzle admirers with their pretty white, pink or red flowers. Besides their beauty, Eastern Flowering Dogwood flowers are also steeped in history and cultural significance. In this article, we are going to explore the different meanings and symbolism of flowering dogwood in the language of flowers.
The Symbolic Meaning of Eastern Flowering Dogwood Flowers – The Basics
Dogwood flowers are closely linked to Christianity, symbolizing rebirth and renewal. Eastern flowering dogwood flowers also represent purity, strength, and endurance. In Victorian floriographyDogwood flowers were used to assess the reciprocity of a person’s romantic feelings.
About Eastern Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida)
Family, Gender, &; Taxonomy
Flowering dogwoods (Cornus florida) are flowering trees in the family Cornaceae. These trees belong to the dogwood genus (Cornus), which includes between 30 and 60 individual species.
Botanical characteristics
Flowering dogwoods are deciduous flowering trees that can reach more than 30 decimeters in height. This relatively small height makes it a good option for smaller gardens. Cornus florida can live for around 80 years.
Flowering dogwoods produce flowers with four glossy white, pink or red bracts. These specialized petals sometimes have faint red spots and are meant to attract pollinating insects. The true flowers of Cornus florida form a cluster of tiny yellow-green flowers in the center of each flower head.
Like many dogwoods, eastern flowering dogwoods have exceptionally dense hardwood. From late summer to early fall, flowering dogwood trees produce brilliant red berries – a vital food source for birds. The fruits are exceptionally bitter and sour, making them inedible to humans.
History and Origins of the Eastern Flowering Dogwood
Eastern Flowering Dogwood is endemic to northern Europe and has been growing there for thousands of years. Previously, the native range of Cornus florida covered much of the southeastern United States down to Texas. Eastern Flowering Dogwood can be grown in most temperate conditions around the world.
Popular cultivars, species and types
Some of the most popular cultivars of Eastern Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) include:
Etymological meaning
The scientific name for Eastern Flowering Dogwood, Cornus florida, derives from the Latin words “cornu,” which means “horn,” and “flos,” which translates to “flower.” The word “cornu” reflects the hardness of the wood, while the word “flos” represents the beautiful flowers.
Cornus florida is also known as American dogwood, Florida dogwood, Indian dogwood, or white dogwood.
Where do flowering dogwoods come from?
Eastern flowering dogwood is native to the southern and southeastern United States. Its range extends from Maine and southern Michigan to northern Florida and eastern Texas. Cornus florida also grows in parts of the Midwest, including Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma.
When is Eastern Flowering Dogwood Flowering Season?
Cornus florida flowers are in season from early April to late May. Flowers emerge earlier for specimens from warm southern regions. Flowering dogwoods in cooler, more northern regions begin to bloom between mid-April and late April.
Uses and Benefits of Eastern Flowering Dogwood
The hard, dense wood of the Eastern Flowering Dogwood has historically been used to make wooden products such as mallets and tool handles. It was also used to make luxury items such as jewelry boxes or golf club heads. Cornus florida has also been used to make red dyes or inks.
The bark and roots of the Eastern Flowering Dogwood were used in traditional Native American medicine. These parts of the plant were mainly used to treat malaria. Parts of the Eastern Flowering Dogwood were also used as remedies for dogs with mange.
Flowering dogwoods are fantastic small trees for gardens and backyards. Their flowers attract essential pollinators like bees and butterflies. The berries are an important food source for wild birds in summer and fall.
The Meaning, Symbolism and Cultural Significance of Eastern Flowering Dogwood Flowers
Meaning and symbolism of flowering dogwood flowers
Eastern flowering dogwood flowers have several symbolic meanings. Cornus florida flowers are strongly associated with rebirth, renewal and resurrection. This is partly because of their connection to Christianity, but also because the flowers emerge in spring.
Eastern flowering dogwood flowers also represent qualities such as durability, strength, reliability, and resilience. This can be attributed to the exceptionally hard and resilient wood of the Eastern Flowering Dogwood. Eastern Flowering Dogwood flowers can help communicate strength and togetherness to someone struggling through difficult circumstances.
Common Flowering Dogwood Colors and Their Meanings & Meanings symbolism
White Flowering Dogwood Blossoms
Cornus florida varieties with white flowers can represent hope, innocence and purity. Like other white flowers, flowering dogwoods are excellent flowers for weddings. These occasions are linked to purity and innocence, especially in Christianity.
White is the most common flower color for dogwoods. White flowers also symbolize renewal and rebirth, which reinforces the connection between Cornus florida flowers and Christianity.
Pink Flowering Dogwood Blossoms
Some varieties of flowering dogwood have pink flowers, which represent affection and love. The association between pink flowers and affection not only includes romantic feelings, but also affection for friends and family. Pink dogwood flowers can be used to express platonic or romantic affection.
Flowers of the red flowering dogwood
Red-flowered dogwood cultivars are rare and symbolize love and passion. Red flowers are also associated with beauty and power. Red flowers are mainly used to communicate romantic love and passion between partners or lovers.
Geographic Symbolism of Dogwood Blossoms
Dogwood flowers are closely linked to several US states. The Eastern Flowering Dogwood is the official state tree of Missouri and the recognized state flower of North Carolina. In Virginia, Cornus florida is the official state flower and tree.
Flowering Dogwood Flowers in Christianity
The flowering dogwood is intimately linked to Christianity and symbolizes hope, purity and renewal. Specifically, the flowering dogwood symbolizes the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The cross on which Jesus was crucified was made of dogwood, hence the connection.
Eastern flowering dogwood flowers are usually white with faint red dots. Some Christians believe that these marks represent the blood of Christ and the marks of the crucifixion.
Meaning & ; Symbolism of the Flowering Dogwood in the Victorian Era
In the Victorian era, flowers were often used by future lovers to exchange messages of seduction or romantic feelings. A comprehensive catalog of flower meanings has emerged, known as floriography or the “language of flowers”.
In Victorian floriography, dogwood blossoms were used to judge the interest of a potential lover. A young man offered a dogwood flower to a young woman he admired. If she returned the flower to him, it was because she did not share his affection. But if she kept the flower, that meant she found him attractive as well.
The Victorians also continued to associate the dogwood with durability, strength, reliability and resilience.
Appropriate Gift Occasions for Eastern Flowering Dogwood Flowers
Eastern flowering dogwood flowers make excellent floral gifts for a variety of occasions. Different flower colors can convey different messages when given as gifts. Flowering dogwood trees symbolize strength and resilience, making this a thoughtful gift for someone going through a difficult time.
White dogwood flowers represent purity and innocence and make fantastic wedding flowers. Pink flowering dogwood flowers can express affection for anyone, including family, friends, or romantic partners. Red Flowering Dogwood flowers are a unique choice for communicating love and passion to someone on Valentine’s Day.
Flowering dogwoods are closely tied to Christianity, making them ideal gifts for Christian events. White flowering dogwoods are a great choice for Easter because these flowers symbolize the resurrection of Christ. Dogwoods with white flowers can also be suitable for baptisms as they represent purity.
Flowering Dogwood Symbolism FAQ:
What do the flowering dogwood flowers symbolize?
Eastern flowering dogwood flowers symbolize strength and reliability as well as purity and innocence. These flowers are strongly linked to Christianity and represent the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Do Eastern Flowering Dogwood Flowers Symbolize Love?
Dogwood flowers with pink or red flowers can symbolize different types of love. Pink flowers represent affection for friends, family, and romantic partners. Red dogwood flowers represent romantic love and passion.
Do Eastern Flowering Dogwood Blossoms Return Every Year?
Flowering dogwoods are small perennial trees that come back every year. They are deciduous and lose their leaves in autumn and winter.
How long do Eastern Flowering Dogwood flowers last?
Eastern flowering dogwood flowers typically bloom from early April to late May. The first flowers appear earlier in warm regions and later in cold regions.
Are Eastern Flowering Dogwood Plants Poisonous?
Flowering dogwoods are not considered poisonous, although the berries are extremely unpalatable and inedible to humans. Cornus florida is also not considered toxic to pets.
Meaning of Eastern Flowering Dogwood – The Last Word
Eastern flowering dogwood is one of America’s most beloved native flowering plants. Cornus florida symbolizes qualities such as strength, endurance, purity, innocence and affection. Dogwood flowers are also strongly associated with Christianity, especially the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ.