Stellar Nova™ Dogwood

The Stellar Nova dogwood is Rutgers University's latest white-blooming workhorse—a vigorous, upright-growing hybrid that brings brilliant white bracts to the late spring landscape when most other ornamental trees have already shed their blooms. Unlike the fleeting beauty of early spring dogwoods, Stellar Nova puts on its dazzling display in late spring, covering itself in bright white flowers that quite literally glow in the sun. The bracts catch and scatter sunlight, creating an almost luminous effect in the landscape. Thick, dark green leaves emerge as the blooms fade, staying robust and healthy through summer heat without the curling or bronzing that plagues many dogwoods. The foliage provides excellent backdrop and texture through the growing season before transitioning to purplish-red tones in fall.

Stellar Nova excels as a specimen tree or planted in multiples for dramatic effect. Its vigorous upright habit makes it particularly useful where vertical interest is desired without excessive width, and the late bloom time fills a gap in the ornamental calendar when spring's early show has concluded but summer perennials haven't yet taken center stage. Plant Stellar Nova as a bright white backdrop for the vivid pink flowers of Scarlet Fire dogwood—the two bloom simultaneously and were specifically bred to complement one another. The tree thrives in full sun to partial shade and appreciates organically rich, acidic, well-drained soil. Like all dogwoods, consistent moisture and a 2-4 inch layer of organic mulch help maintain root health, particularly during establishment.

The late bloom time of Stellar Nova does provide a nectar resource when many spring flowers have faded. However, like most cultivars in the Stellar series, Stellar Nova is sterile and produces little to no fruit. While this means the tree won't provide berry resources for songbirds in fall , the extended bloom period and nectar availability make it valuable for pollinator gardens. The minimal fruit production also eliminates potential messiness, making it particularly suitable for patios, walkways, and other high-traffic areas.

Most critically, Stellar Nova carries the exceptional disease resistance that defines the Rutgers breeding program. The tree demonstrates strong resistance to dogwood anthracnose (Discula destructiva), the fungal disease that devastated native dogwood populations, as well as powdery mildew and dogwood borer. This disease package makes Stellar Nova suitable for sites where native flowering dogwoods have struggled or failed.

As a newly introduced cultivar (2025), specific mature size data for Stellar Nova isn't yet available in academic sources. Based on other vigorous C. × rutgersensis cultivars, expect the tree to reach approximately 20-25 feet in height with a 15-20 foot spread, though individual specimens may vary. Stellar Nova thrives in USDA Zones 5-8 with best performance in organically rich, moist but well-drained acidic soils (pH 5.5-6.5). The tree tolerates full sun to partial shade, though afternoon shade in hotter regions helps prevent leaf stress. Regular watering during establishment and dry periods ensures the thick, healthy foliage that characterizes this cultivar. Mulch generously but avoid piling mulch against the trunk.

Photo Credit: Rutgers University 

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.