Although nearly 100 species are found in the dogwood family (Cornaceae), only a few varieties are used in home landscaping. The two most popular dogwoods are the Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) and Kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa), which is sometimes referred to as Asian dogwood. Cornus florida is the old standby, being the most commonly recognized and usually the most readily available for purchase, of the dogwood trees to be found at your local garden center. The tree thrives in almost all areas of the eastern United States, and is known for its showy white, or sometimes pink or red, springtime blossoms. The tree does well in full sun or partial shade, and will actually adjust its shape and form to adapt to whatever conditions of light it finds itself growing in. A flowering dogwood grown in full sun tends to deve pink guitar strap lop a more upright shape, holding its branches closer in to the main stem, while one grown under shady conditions will assume more of a spreading habit allowing its branches and leaves to develop out over a wider area in order to capture more light for its photosynthetic activities. The smooth, dark-brown bark of the young dogwood tree will break up into small scaly blocks as the tree grows and matures. The flowering dogwood is rather slow growing and is a welcome addition to the home landscape right from the start, with its colorful spring blooms and dark-green oval leaves that turn to a showy crimson red in the fall. Cornus kousa has gained more popularity over the last few years, particularly because of its resistance to dogwood anthracnose, which can weaken or kill a tree over a period of time if left untreated.