Question
Gary,
In the spring of 2003, I purchased a flowering dogwood (it was in bloom at the time we planted it). It has not bloomed since! It's leafing out just fine and I see no evidence of disease. What could the problem be? I'm curious and I'd love to see it in bloom again.
Shelley


Answer
Shelley,

These are tough questions.  Lack of flowering usually has an environmental cause.  I am going to give you some causes and let you see if any fit, this will be the best I can do in this forum.

Light has strong influence on flowering.  The tree was nursery-grown I am assuming and probably in a hgh light situation.  If you look at small native dogwoods that are understory trees they seldom flower.  This is because of the shade of the understory.  Take these trees and plant in the sun it generally takes several years before they flower, but they will flower.  Is your tree in any shade?  If so it could be a contributing cause.  

If the tree is drought stressed this can interfere with flowering.  Be sure the plant is well hydrated.

Keep and eye on the buds on the branches this summer and fall.  The flowers form the previous year and you will be able to tell if the tree is going to flower next year.  This also means that if you prune in the fall you will remove the flaoer buds.  You have not been fall pruning have you?

Good gardening

If you are satisfied with my response please consider nominating me for volunteer of the month