The Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) is one of New Jersey’s loveliest trees – bursting forth in early May with spectacular white and pink blooms– a sure sign that winter is over. Flowering dogwood is the state tree of Missouri and the state flower of North Carolina. It is also the New Jersey State Memorial Tree … and there’s a story behind that.

It started in 1944, when the NJ State Council of Garden Clubs began a beatification project on – Route 22! Along a 6 mile stretch, from North Plainfield to Mountainside, 8,000 dogwood trees were planted as a living memorial to the men and women who served in World War II. This was designated the Blue Star Memorial Drive by the NJ legislature in 1945 and launched similar projects in every state in the nation.

Six years later in 1951, the Flowering Dogwood was adopted as the NJ State Memorial Tree to honor those in the armed forces and to encourage widespread use of the dogwood, as a memorial tree, in parks, parkways, monuments, and at building sites.

This small native tree is an excellent choice for the home landscape, especially as a specimen tree. Not only are the spring blooms attractive, then autumn brings scarlet foliage and glossy red fruit.  

The tight green cluster of flowers are located in the center of four showy white “bracts” which are actually modified leaves. Its early blooms offer a valuable nectar source for native bees and the fall fruits are a good food source for winter birds. It is the host plant for the larvae of the Spring Azure butterfly.

When you are outside this Spring, admire the breathtaking beauty of the Flowering Dogwood and remember the men and women who have served in our armed forces.