• Flowering dogwood blooms in mid March through early April in South Carolina.Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images
  
  Across the 46 counties of South Carolina, hikers and botanists come across five species of native dogwoods (Cornus spp.). Ranging in habit from large shrubs to more classic looking single-trunked trees, all bloom and yield small red to blue-black berries that sustain songbirds and other wildlife. Regardless of species, these dogwoods grow best in deep, moist, acidic soils rich in organic matter. The most famous native dogwood species often graces gardens--the flowering dogwood.
  
  

Cornus florida

• Among the most beautiful native North American trees, the flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) is native to all South Carolina counties. It grows in woodlands in dappled sun and shade conditions, potentially growing 20 to 30 feet tall. Its large white bracts appear in early to mid spring; the natural variety rubra sporadically appears in the wild, revealing reddish pink bracts.
  
  

Cornus alternifolia

• Called either the pagoda dogwood or the alternate-leaf dogwood (Cornus alternifolia), this small tree grows with a tiered branching structure. It matures 20 to 35 feet tall, remaining shorter and more shrub-like if the soil isn't moist, cool and acidic, according to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. It occurs mainly in the Piedmont and western highland counties in South Carolina.
  
  

Cornus asperifolia

• Roughleaf dogwood (Cornus asperifolia), a deciduous small tree, grows up to 15 feet tall. Touch the oval green leaves and feel their notably sandpaper-like texture. This plant grows naturally in the lowlands across the coastal southeastern counties of the Palmetto State.
  
  

Cornus foemina

• Stiff dogwood (Cornus foemina) naturally grows widespread primarily in the southern and western counties. This small, variably sized tree often grows in wet woodland soils in South Carolina and thus is also commonly called the swamp dogwood. It matures 10 to 20 feet tall and adapts to drier upland soils but matures shorter in height.
  
  

Cornus amomum

• Silky dogwood (Cornus amomum) occurs all throughout South Carolina often in the shady forests in low areas that seasonally flood along streams. It grows only 6 to 10 feet tall and tolerates full sun if the soil is wet and fertile. Growing quickly, it's usually multi-stemmed and rather rounded but unkempt looking in stature.