LADYBUG SAYDS ... FLOWERING TREES MAKE SPECTACULAR DISPLAY

Although flowering bulbs, such as crocus, daffodils and tulips, provide their own special touch to spring, it is the flowering trees that make the most spectacular display. Magnolias, flowering cherry, flowering crab, redbud and dogwood are among the largest contributors to the spring show, and worthwhile additions to the landscape.

In this spring's beginning, it appeared the flowering of all spring plants would be a bit late, but when the summer-like days arrived everything popped out at once and now many are ahead of schedule. Have you ever seen the redbud fuller or more colorful?

Now comes the dogwood. We think of the dogwood around Easter time and the beautiful legend associated with the Crucifixion. Because Easter was so early this year, the dogwood did not make it for Holy Week, but like the other flowering trees, it is blooming early.

The flowering dogwood is a versatile ornamental tree, suited for planting in natural settings or in formal landscapes. It is adaptable to several types of soil, though it grows best in a moist, fertile loam that is slightly acid. Its primary demands are good soil, good drainage and protection from drought.

The flowering dogwood is named and admired in the white drifts of flowers it adds to woodlands in early spring. It is a small tree, occasionally up to 40 feet in height with a trunk diameter of 12 to 18 inches, like those growing in Charleston in the yards of those magnificent homes along Main Street.

What are thought to be the "flowers" of dogwood are composed of four large, white (sometimes pink) petal-like bracts that are notched at the end. The true flower is a small, inconspicuous, greenish-white or yellowish, compact head in the center of the showy bracts.

The bright red oval fruit is borne in tight clusters, ripening in October. Bark of the flowering dogwood is dark red-brown, dividing into small scaly blocks on older trees. Dogwood berries are a favorite fall and winter food for squirrels, wild turkeys, deer and many species of songbirds.

Even popular dogwood blooms are in white, pink or red. After the blooming season is over, the dogwood's fine foliage is a delight. It is safest to buy nursery grown dogwood and to shun the bargain dogwoods that have been collected wild. These are often difficult to nurse through the first year, but once established dogwood are easily grown.

Dogwoods are naturally one of the under-canopy of the forest and should have partial shade. However, it is sufficiently adaptable so that it will grow in the open. It does not like wind, and if it can be given a site that has shade for part of the day, it will likely thrive better.

There is a disease attacking the dogwood in several eastern and southern states. Epidemics have been most severe at higher elevations and in forested areas. It is known as anthracnose, and was first reported in the States in 1970, attacking the dogwoods in the forest.

Commercially produced trees, as well as trees in urban settings are normally in more open areas, and are less inviting to the disease. Authorities warn that in most of the country, it is not the anthracnose disease, but rather a lawnmower or string trimmer damaging the trunk of the tree, that causes the tree to die.

The best time to plant dogwoods is in late winter or spring before growth begins.

Dig a plant hole twice the diameter of the rootball at least 18 inches deep. Refill the hole to the depth of the rootball with the loosened soil. Tamp the soil to provide a firm base for the tree.

If the roots of the dogwood are balled and burlapped, you need not remove the burlap before setting the tree in the hole. After the tree is set, cut the string and burlap around the top of the rootball and fold back the exposed parts of the burlap.

Place the dogwood in the hole and pack soil under the rootball until the tree sits slightly higher than it grew in the nursery. Refill the hole with a mixture consisting of equal parts of soil and organic matter, peat moss, well decayed manure or leaf mulch. Press the soil mixture firmly around the rootball and water thoroughly.

After the plant has settled, its depth should be about the same as it was before transplanting. Avoid planting too deep.

If dogwoods are planted in reasonably fertile soil that is well supplied with organic matter, they seldom need fertilizing. Free blooming is promoted by moderate rather than quick growth.

Growth may be stimulated (after they have recovered from transplanting) by applying the same fertilizers that is used for lawn or garden. Apply in later winter through early summer.

Once established, the dogwood is a thing of beauty as George Washington knew, when on his birthday in 1785 he planted a circle of dogwood with a redbud in the middle. Dogwood are still thriving at Mount Vernon.

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Note Although bedding plants are now available, we can have a killing frost until April 15 to 20.