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Turquoise Puya

Cornus florida sub. urbaniana

Mystifying and beautiful, the "Magic Dogwood" - Cornus florida subspecies urbiniana - is a rare Mexican version of the common American Dogwood tree.  Looking like exotic Chinese lanterns, these incredible blooms dazzle the eye by the hundreds each spring.  Like snowflakes, no two are exactly alike.  The plant is highly rare in cultivation, and genuine seeds & plants are rarely seen for sale.

Cornus florida sub. urbiniana

The Magic Dogwood grows to about 20 feet tall here in San Francisco, although you can prune it a lot shorter and keep it in a large pot.  The leaves are slightly bluer than the common species.  In the spring, the tree puts on its show of decorative blooms, which are unusually large for Dogwoods.  The white bracts are fused together at the ends to create an unusual, cage-like shape around the flowers.  As you can see, the effect is truly spectacular.  This is a naturally-occurring tree, not a cultivated hybrid!

Cornus florida sub. urbiniana

The Magic Dogwood comes from the mountain forests of eastern Mexico, where it is rare.  The climate there is spring-like year round, however the tree has been cold-hardy in Zone 6 here in the U.S.  I recommend protecting it from frost the first 2-3 years.  You may grow it in a pot and move indoors for the winter.  It doesn't seem to mind warm summers provided that nights aren't too warm.  The tree normally grows in the forest understory, so it appreciates some protection from strong afternoon sun.

Cornus florida sub. urbiniana

Unfortunately counterfeit seeds are occasionally seen for sale.  I guarantee that the plants and seeds i offer are the genuine "Magic Dogwood" shown here!

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Turquoise Puya

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