Habitat: Although it will grow in a variety
of soils, from well-drained, upland soils to the deep, 
moist soils of
lower slopes, the flowering dogwood prefers acid, well-drained soils. It
is very shade tolerant, but will also grow in full sun.
Diseases: C. florida is usually free of foliage problems, but in recent years, anthracnose, a disease that causes leaf spotting, blighting and twig dieback has been seriously affecting trees in the northeast and also occurs in the Pacific Northwest. Borers often attack stressed trees and crown canker is a serious disease in several northeastern states.
Distribution:This species is native from the extreme southwest of Maine to eastern Kansas, and south to eastern Texas and Florida. It will grow satisfactorily in southern, eastern and central Iowa if planted in good soils, but the flower buds do not usually survive the cold winters.
