Dogwood Bloom Abnormality Likely Due to Excess Nitrogen

Observation

A 40+ year old pink dogwood producing only two petals instead of four (last year two were smaller) is not diseased but likely receiving too much nitrogen from lawn fertilizer.

Corrective Fertilization

Apply low-nitrogen fertilizer: Camellia-Rhododendron food (acid-based) after bloom, or 0-10-10 in early-mid summer to promote flower buds. Broadcast 1 cup per inch of trunk diameter under canopy, water in. Avoid high-nitrogen lawn fertilizers near the root zone.