CORNUS SPP. FLORIDA ‘RUTCAN (CONSTELLATION®)’ – DOGWOOD, SPP. ‘X RUTCAN (CONSTELLATION)’
The ‘Rutcan’ (Constellation registered trademark) (P.P.#7210) grows best on moist, loamy, well-drained soil (not heavy clay) with mulch or leaf litter accumulated over the roots. It is highly resistant to the common dogwood borer and moderately to highly resistant to Discula, the incident of dogwood anthracnose.
Dogwood is not particularly drought- or heat-tolerant, requiring irrigation during drought periods in summer. Sensitive to reflected heat so it is poorly adapted to downtown landscapes. It is best in some shade in the southern part of its range. It is not rated as an urban tough tree and needs open soil space to look its best. Some shade will improve performance in restricted soil spaces. Cornus kousa and C. kousa x C. florida crosses performed poorly compared to many of the native Cornus florida cultivars in a test at Auburn University in hardiness zones 7b/8a. The crosses from Rutgers reportedly (according to Don Merritt) to survive digging from the nursery better than C. florida.