Mostly free of anthracnose leaf disease, and always popular in the nursery trade because seedlings are so inexpensive and easy to grow in a pot. Spectacular when laden with masses of large bracted flowers. Vase-shaped at maturity, it differs significantly from C. florida by blooming a full month later and has more attractive, strawberry-like fruits. Autumn color is a showy burgundy, and fruits ripen at different stages in colors of green, yellow, orange, and red. Differs from C. kousa, Japanese Dogwood, in its more upright growth, longer internodes, and larger leaves and flowers. These characteristics make it profitable as an ornamental garden center promo item, and as a dependable rootstock.
