Cornus 'Rutban' Aurora is a hybrid dogwood developed by Elwin R. Orton Jr. at Rutgers University as part of the celebrated Stellar series, crossing the native Cornus florida with the Asian Cornus kousa to combine the best traits of both parents. This deciduous tree grows 14 to 18 feet tall and wide, producing showy flowers in April and May that attract butterflies and pollinators. Hardy in zones 5 through 9, it thrives in full sun to partial shade and requires only moderate water and low maintenance once established. What truly sets Aurora apart is its exceptional resistance to dogwood anthracnose, the disease that has devastated wild and cultivated dogwoods across North America.
Partial Sun
Moderate
5-9
216in H x 216in W
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Moderate
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Aurora inherits the ornamental flowering character of both its parents but with superior disease resistance that makes it a reliable choice where native dogwoods have failed. The showy spring blooms attract butterflies and other pollinators, while the tree's moderate size fits naturally into residential landscapes without overwhelming adjacent plantings. Deer leave it untouched, and its low maintenance demands mean fewer interventions as it matures.
Aurora serves as a flowering tree for landscape design, prized for its ornamental spring display and its ability to thrive in regions where dogwood anthracnose has eliminated other options. Its deer resistance and pollinator-friendly flowers make it especially valuable in wildlife-conscious gardens and residential settings where browsing pressure is high.
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“Aurora emerged from deliberate breeding work by Elwin R. Orton Jr., a pioneering plant breeder at Rutgers University who recognized a critical need in American horticulture. Native flowering dogwoods (Cornus florida) had become increasingly vulnerable to anthracnose, a fungal disease that spread rapidly through wild populations and threatened the species' ecological role. Rather than accept this loss, Orton crossbred the susceptible but beloved Cornus florida with the tougher Asian Cornus kousa, launching the Stellar series of hybrid dogwoods. Aurora represents the culmination of this work: a tree that reclaims the ornamental and ecological value of flowering dogwoods while standing resilient against the disease that had devastated them.”