Stellar Pink® Dogwood Rutgan - Hybrid Pink Dogwood

Stellar Pink emerges in late spring with shell-pink bracts that unfold like four-petaled stars, each measuring 3-5 inches across. These rounded, overlapping bracts glow soft pink against dark green foliage, creating a romantic display that lasts several weeks when most other spring bloomers have called it quits. The tree develops a dense, upright habit, reaching 20-25 feet tall and 15-20 feet wide at maturity, with elegant horizontal branching that adds architectural interest year-round. In autumn, the glossy leaves transform to shades of purple-red, extending the tree's ornamental value well past its spring debut.

The landscape applications for Stellar Pink are remarkably versatile. Its manageable size makes it an excellent specimen tree for residential gardens, foundation plantings, or patio settings where you want drama without overwhelming the space. The upright, somewhat columnar form when young gradually fills out with age, making it suitable for small groupings or even street tree plantings in appropriate settings. Unlike its native parent, Stellar Pink is sterile and produces no fruit—a trade-off that eliminates the messy fruit drop some gardeners prefer to avoid, but also removes a food source for wildlife. The true flowers—tiny, yellowish-green clusters at the center of those showy pink bracts—do provide nectar and pollen for early-season pollinators. The tree excels in full sun to partial shade, preferring afternoon shade in warmer zones, and demands organically rich, acidic, well-drained soil to thrive.

Stellar Pink performs best in USDA Zones 5-9 in moist, well-drained, organically rich acidic soils (pH 6.0-7.0). Maintain 2-4 inches of organic mulch to keep roots cool and moist. While resistant to anthracnose and dogwood borer, the tree can still experience issues with powdery mildew, leaf spot, and scale when stressed. Avoid planting in compacted soil, near heat sources like pavement, or in areas with poor drainage.

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.