Celestial Shadow Dogwood Tree for Sale - Buying & Growing Guide

Planting and Care

by Mary Van Keuren | Gardener (30+ Years Experience) – last update on August 4, 2022

Planting instructions

Your Celestial Shadow dogwood tree will thrive in a spot that gets filtered or light shade, in acidic soil that drains well and is high in organic matter. Unpot your sapling and tease out any encircling roots, which can girdle the tree and slowly kill it. Dig a hole that’s as deep as the root ball and two to three times as wide. Place the tree in the hole, spreading out the roots. Holding it upright and steady, fill in around it with topsoil, tamping down as you go to eliminate air pockets. Water thoroughly. Apply a 2- to 3-inch layer of organic mulch, such as bark chips, around the root zone to conserve moisture and hinder weed growth, but avoid letting it touch the trunk, which can promote rot.

Watering and nutrients

Dogwood trees have shallow root systems and are at risk of drying out without consistent moisture. When newly planted, water your Celestial Shadow dogwood every few days. Once it is showing signs of robust new growth, you can taper back to once or twice a week. If the leaves turn light green, you may be giving it too much water. Drooping leaves may indicate either overwatering or underwatering. Fertilize lightly in spring with a balanced, slow-release product designed for landscape trees and shrubs, such as a 10-10-10 formula.

Pollination

The Celestial Shadow dogwood tree is a hybrid, meaning that it does not grow true to seed. Its parent plants are the American dogwood and Asian kousa dogwood, and it has features of both these standard trees, but the Celestial Shadow dogwood is more disease-resistant than either of them. The trees do produce pollen and may be attractive to pollinators.

Pruning

Your Celestial Shadow dogwood does not need annual pruning. Your only pruning task is to monitor the tree for dead, diseased, or damaged limbs, which should be cut out whenever you see them.

Pests and diseases

Few pests will bother your Celestial Shadow dogwood tree. You may see aphids or mites on the branches, but a healthy tree can fend these off on its own. The Celestial Shadow dogwood is resistant to the diseases that plague most dogwoods, including anthracnose, which can be deadly for dogwoods. It is not known to be prone to any other diseases.

Achieving maximum results

You can achieve maximum results with your Celestial Shadow dogwood tree by siting it properly in your garden. How can it be used best in a landscape setting? This lovely dogwood is an excellent specimen plant, and it more than holds its own as a single focal point, preferably in a spot where it is sheltered from hot afternoon sun. Dogwoods are a good choice for Asian-inspired gardens and can look stunning in cottage gardens, especially in spring when they are blooming. These shade-lovers also made a statement when planted at the edge of a wooded area, in front of larger deciduous trees or conifers.

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