Michigan Gardening: New to Forum, 1 by nancyruhl

nancyruhl wrote:
I'm not far from your mom's old neighborhood at Oakman/Ford Rd area.

I don't know why it is so hard to grow dogwoods in your area. You're only a hop, skip and jump across the bay. Sand point, where the cottage is, is considered a zone 6 area by some. I did a little research and the kousa varieties of dogwoods are considered a little hardier. They are equally as beautiful, just more conical in growth habit, and less open and airy looking. There are 3 pink cultivars-heart throb. bush's pink, and radiant rose. Then there a cornus florida called spring song that is supposedly hardier than the rest of the species. Now the tough part is locating any of these varieties. All of those varieties are understory plants who need a protected spot, of course. I included a picture of spring song. TDF. I hate to see people throw in the towel on a plant if they really like it. I have, however, given up moving my hosta collection to the cottage. The deer who live across the street think of them as varigated salad. Nancy