dogwood trees in South Florida?

[som...@gate.net]

I am looking for a medium size flowering tree to plant in
my front lawn. Something with an ultimate height of 20-30'
with nice flowers. I live in South Florida (Fort Lauderdale/
Miami area) Zone 10 and I read that the Dogwood tree (Cornus
Florida) is good up to zone 9. Any chance it will thrive
in my area and if not what may be a good substitute?

Everyon plants palms down here and I am sick of it. I am
looking for something to provide some shade, nice flowers.

Thanks for any comments.

Neri

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[Robert Wagner]

Cornus florida urbiniana is native to southern Mexico, but at high
elevations. It might tolerate subtropical climates a little better than
most but the heat may be a little much for it.

Cornus kausa angustata is an evergreen subspecies of the Chinese Dogwood
that should tolerate heat and humidity better than most. It is native to
Szeichuan, which has long, hot, humid summers and mild winters.

How do you feel about Bauhinias? Or Plumerias (aka Frangipani)? These are
medium-sized trees with beautiful flowers (Frangipani is usually quite
fragrant too). I dunno how they do for shade--they are both somewhat
sparce-leaved, but must cast some. Anyway, they should be well-adapted to
southern Florida.

Delonix regia is another smallish-medium sized tree with QUITE showy
flowers.

Robert

som...@gate.net wrote in article <8703050...@dejanews.com>...

[Alexis T. Coudert]

On Wed, 30 Jul 1997 18:52:04 -0600, som...@gate.net wrote:

>I am looking for a medium size flowering tree to plant in
>my front lawn. Something with an ultimate height of 20-30'
>with nice flowers. I live in South Florida (Fort Lauderdale/
>Miami area) Zone 10 and I read that the Dogwood tree (Cornus
>Florida) is good up to zone 9. Any chance it will thrive
>in my area and if not what may be a good substitute?
>

Actually, aren't you in zone 10b? My experience of five years trying
to fight the consensus is that it's a waste of time; also you may find
the Cornus f. hard to obtain conveniently. For nice flowers and
shade, look into Bauhinia (various species -- orchid trees, or Hong
Kong orchid), Cananga odorata (Ylang-ylang, the Chanel No. 5 tree),
Cassia fistula (the golden shower tree), Cordia boissieri (20 ft.),
the royal poinciana, Koelreuteria elegans (golden shower, 40 ft.) ,
Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica), various Tabebuias.
ATC, Miami

[gre...@se.mediaone.net]

I'm in the Jacksonville area - which is zone 9 - and it's hard to grow
dogwoods here (the only place they grow is in shady inland areas). I
think planting one in Fort Lauderdale would be a death sentence. Robyn