Stellar Hybrid Dogwoods Imagine a dogwood that blooms after most dogwoods have finished and that is covered with large blooms. Well, you can grow such a dogwood. The Stellar series of dogwoods includeds six hybrids that are more vigerous than their parents. These hybrids are the results of crosses made between Cornus florida and Cornus kousa. The Stellar dogwood cultivars begin to bloom in April, just as the native flowering dogwoods, Cornus florida, blooms faded. The bracts are about the same size as those of C. florida but they are produced in greather abundance covering the newly emerged leaves. They have large dark green leaves. The plant habit is wider than tall with branches low to the ground and a uniform spread all the way up. Stellar hybrids are reported to be highly resistant to dogwood borers. Stellar Hybrid Cultivars Cultivar Bract color Comments Celestial White Taller than wide; branching low to the ground; resistant to dogwood anthracnose and mildew; former know as Galaxy Aurora Rounded, overlapping, white bracts Taller than wide; branching low to the ground; moderate resistance to dogwood anthracnose; resistance to mildew Constellation Large, overlapping, white bracts Taller than wide; branching low to the ground; moderate resistance to dogwood anthracnose; susceptible to mildew Stellar Pink Soft pink Taller than wide; branching low to the ground; resistant to dogwood anthracnose and mildew Stardust White Broad, spreading small tree; resistant to dogwood anthracnose Ruth Ellen White Broad spreading trees; mounded form; moderate resistance to dogwood anthracnose; susceptible to mildew Consumer Horticulture | Quick Reference © Erv Evans, Consumer Horticulturalist Shoprights NC State University