Cornus x rutgersensis 'Ruth Ellen' Dogwood
RUTH ELLEN is a hybrid dogwood (Cornus florida x Cornus kousa) that was developed as part of the Stellar series of dogwoods released by Rutgers University. It is noted for its vigorous habit, large-bracted flowers, profuse bloom and resistance to anthracnose and dogwood borer. It is a small deciduous tree with a dense, low-branching, spreading habit. It is wider than tall, typically maturing to 12-18’ tall spreading to 24’ wide. Flowers bloom in spring. The true dogwood flowers are actually tiny, yellowish green and insignificant, being compacted into button-like clusters. However, each flower cluster is surrounded by four showy, petal-like, white bracts which open flat, giving the appearance of a single, large, 3-4” diameter, 4-petaled, white flower. Oval to elliptic, dark green leaves (4-5” long) turn attractive shades of purple in fall. RUTH ELLEN is sterile and does not produce fruit.
Height: 12.00 to 18.00 feet
Spread: 18.00 to 24.00 feet
Bloom Time: April to May
Bloom Description: White bracts
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Suggested Use: Flowering Tree
Flower: Showy
Leaf: Good Fall
Attracts: Butterflies
Tolerate: Deer