Trees

Cornus florida 'Suwanee Squat'

Suwanee Squat flowering dogwood

Also known as: Suwanne Squat

Suwanee Squat flowering dogwood at JC Raulston Arboretum, June 12, 2016. Photo: Tony Avent / Trees and Shrubs Online, CC BY-SA 4.0

Suwanee Squat is an unusual low, spreading selection of the native flowering dogwood. White spring bracts are carried across its horizontal framework rather than a conventional upright tree crown. Its restrained height offers a distinctive woodland-edge accent, especially where a broad, layered form can be appreciated without crowding.

At a glance

Sun: Partial shade
Size: Height: 4–6 ft · Width: 12–18 ft
Water: Moist, well-drained soil
Hardiness: USDA zone 5 minimum (JC Raulston Arboretum); another supplier lists 7–9
Bloom: White bracts, spring

Sizes & prices

#2Dwarf White DogwoodCall for price

Catalog updated September 8, 2026. This is not a live stock count; please call to confirm availability and price.

Ask about this plant

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Landscape use & tree form

Use: Ornamental specimen; Understory planting
Major issues: Powdery mildew, anthracnose, canker and borers are possible; individual cultivar resistance varies.
Fruit / litter: Red autumn drupes feed birds; leaves and fruit create seasonal litter.
Form: Low, broadly spreading horizontal branches
Growth rate: Slow

Resistance & tolerances

Deer: Deer browse foliage; substantial damage is possible despite some resistance listings.
Drought: Shallow roots need supplemental water in dry periods; mulch to conserve moisture.
Wet soil: Parent-species guidance: Requires drainage; keep shallow roots moist, not waterlogged.

Resistance is not a guarantee; deer and rabbits may browse any plant.

Pollinators & wildlife

Attracts: Bees, Butterflies
Caterpillar host: Butterflies
Evidence: Species-level guidance; cultivar habitat value varies.

Native range

Native range / parentage: Cultivar/selection of a species native to eastern North America to eastern Mexico. Cultivated selection of a Kentucky-native species; not wild local stock.
Tristate native status: Cultivated selection of a Kentucky-native species; not wild local stock.

Seasonal interest

Foliage: Deciduous

Growing & care

Site: Use organic mulch to keep roots cool; afternoon shade helps in hot sites.
Pruning: Preserve the layered branching; remove dead or diseased wood promptly and avoid unnecessary large wounds near the trunk.
Soil: Moist, well-drained; brief dry periods tolerated

Sources & photo credits

Woodlanders Nursery

JC Raulston Arboretum

NC State Extension

University of Minnesota Extension

Rutgers Cooperative Extension

horticulture.mgcafe.uky.edu

Photo: Tony Avent / Trees and Shrubs Online, CC BY-SA 4.0; resized for web without enlargement. · CC BY-SA 4.0

Image notes: Suwanee Squat flowering dogwood at JC Raulston Arboretum, June 12, 2016. Photo: Tony Avent / Trees and Shrubs Online, CC BY-SA 4.0; resized for web without enlargement.

Reviewed September 22, 2026. Growing conditions vary by location.