Aurora Dogwood® Rutban - Hybrid White Dogwood

The Aurora Dogwood is a show-stopping hybrid that bridges the gap between our beloved native flowering dogwood and its disease-resistant Asian cousin. With overlapping white bracts that can reach 3 to 5 inches in diameter, Aurora produces blooms that are notably larger and more rounded than those of either parent species. The profuse flowering display appears in late spring to early summer—strategically timed after native dogwoods have finished their show but before kousa dogwoods take center stage. This extended bloom window means you get to enjoy dogwood flowers when most gardeners are already resigned to green canopies. The four showy bracts overlap generously, creating what appears from a distance as pure white circles dotting the tree—hence the cultivar name Aurora, evoking those luminous celestial displays.

Growing 14 to 18 feet tall with an equal spread, Aurora maintains a dense, upright habit with uniform width from top to bottom. The dark green foliage (4-6 inches long) provides an excellent backdrop for the brilliant white blooms and transitions to attractive shades of burgundy-purple in fall. Unlike its parents, Aurora is sterile and produces no fruit, which means the tree channels all its considerable energy into vigorous growth and profuse flowering rather than fruit production. This makes it an excellent choice for urban settings where fruit drop might be unwelcome, and the disease resistance inherited from both parents means it thrives where other dogwoods struggle. Aurora tolerates both full sun and partial shade, though it benefits from afternoon shade in hotter climates, and it's more tolerant of sun and less finicky about growing conditions than native flowering dogwoods.

General care for any tree or shrub is easy, but like any living thing will require your attention. Please educate yourself and follow these simple rules.