The Rutgers dogwood program was started by professor emeritus Dr. Elwin Orton in the 1970s. Dr. Tom Molnar continues this work, cultivating new dogwood tree varieties. The most popular new release is the Scarlet Fire® dogwood tree. It is a deep pink-to-fuchsia bracted dogwood tree, known for its deep, consistently pink bracts that contrast beautifully with its dark green foliage. This tree blooms from late May to early June, making it one of the latest-blooming dogwood tree varieties developed at the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES).
Dr. Elwin Orton spent over 40 years breeding plants for improved qualities – first with hollies, then with dogwoods. Dr. Orton has developed an international reputation for his efforts in plant breeding programs of Rutgers NJAES and has received over 20 awards from garden clubs, horticultural groups, nurseries, plant breeding societies, and landscaping associations for his outstanding work.
During the 1970s, native American dogwoods (Cornus florida), were under serious attack from insects and diseases and the future of dogwoods used in landscaping was in jeopardy. Of concern was widespread infection of dogwood anthracnose that resulted in extensive damage to trees in both native woodlands and ornamental landscapes. Additionally, dogwood borer was causing serious problems to the health of the American dogwood.
To address concerns for use of dogwoods in landscapes, Orton had a plan to cross-breed the native American dogwood tree with the hardier Asian species, Cornus kousa (commonly called Kousa dogwoods), thus producing a new and unique hybrid tree. As a result of this strategy, along with plant breeding skills and patience, he was rewarded with a much improved dogwood tree.
- Evaluating experimental hybrid trees in various climates
- Retesting new hybrid trees with old standard dogwoods
- Reconfirming performance
As a result, the first series of Rutgers dogwoods was released to market in the early 1990s.
Dr. Tom Molnar now continues the dedicated work that began in the 1970s. He joined the Department of Plant Biology in 2004 and soon began working alongside Dr. Orton, conducting research for the NJAES. Dr. Molnar is currently in charge of the Rutgers dogwood tree breeding program and, like Dr. Orton, expanded his vision to focus on a hazelnut breeding program, as well. His main focus is breeding plants for improved qualities – first with dogwoods, then with hazelnuts. Dr. Molnar is proud to carry on the legacy of Dr. Orton and conduct valuable research at Rutgers University. The newest release from the dogwood tree breeding program is the ‘Rutpink’ Scarlet Fire® dogwood.
Dogwood Tree Varieties
New Releases:
Jersey Star® Series:
Stellar® Series:
- Stellar Pink®
- AuroraTM
- ConstellationTM
- Celestial®
- StardustTM
- Ruth EllenTM
Other Popular Varieties:
Each variety has been selected for distinct traits, including: growth habit, shape, size, color, hardiness, and significantly improved disease-resistance.
Dogwood Tree Availability
Since its 2016 release, the Scarlet Fire® dogwood has been available on a limited basis, propagated through nurseries that are Rutgers licensees and distributed to nurseries in New Jersey and in other states for resale. It is estimated that over 10,000 bare-root liner trees (propagation stage trees) were sold in 2017, many of which will enter the retail garden center market in the spring of 2018. Others will be grown on to larger trees for container and ball and burlap sale and use by the landscape industry in later years. Propagation numbers continue to grow as demand increases for the tree with over 25,000 budded in 2017 by Rutgers licensees to produce liner trees which will be harvested in 2018 (and enter the retail market in 2019).
- RareFind Nursery sells retail for home owners late August to early September, but you must call in advance to be added to their waiting list.
- Good Earth Nursery sells both retail and wholesale during this time period, but quantities are limited, so make sure to call in advance if you are interested.
- Pleasant Run Nursery fills wholesale orders for the nursery and landscape industry in August. Call your local nursery as soon as possible to be added to their waiting list.
- Spring Hill Nursery sells Scarlet Fire® by mail order. They should have a large inventory in the spring.
- See Where to Buy Rutgers Dogwood Trees to contact a licensed propagator who will advise where to find Rutgers hybrids at a nursery near you.
To ensure genetic purity and variety performance with the Rutgers hybrid dogwoods, it is recommended to purchase trees from nurseries that acquired their inventory from propagators who are authorized licensees of Rutgers University and use the variety trademark by name.
NOTE: asexual reproduction of Rutgers patented hybrid dogwoods and use of trademark names without a license agreement from Rutgers University is strictly prohibited.
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