Flowering dogwood is the showstopper member of the genus Cornus -- for its elegant layered habit, stunning white blooms and vibrant fall color. While its true flowers are yellowish-green and inconspicuous, they are surrounded by four large flat white bracts that appear to be petals. This small native tree is the state tree of Virginia and signals the arrival of spring in much of the southeastern U.S. Alas, it struggles to maintain bud hardiness in northeastern Illinois.

Members of the genus Cornus, commonly known as dogwoods, are welcome in the home garden for their multi-season interest -- be it flowers, fruit, foliage, and/or bark -- and their range of forms from small trees to suckering shrubs. The dominant display, however, varies among the species.

Dogwoods are native to cooler temperate areas of North America and Asia. The genus includes 45-60 species, divided into subgenera about which taxonomists disagree. The Chicago Botanic Garden's collection includes almost 100 varieties of dogwood from 20 species (7 of which are native) and over 2,400 plants.