This dogwood from Mexico is rarely seen in the U.S. It differs from the common dogwood of the southern USA by having bracts that hold together at their tips, forming a open-sided lantern that protects yet exposes the flower parts.  Unique is the word most often used to describe the bloom.  Our specimen bloomed for the first time in mid to late March, 2006.  While it bloomed profusely and the weather was moderate, flowers failed to set any seed.  Since that time we have made seed and produced young plants for further plantings (Gayla Mize Garden) and for distribution.  While difficult to find in the specialty nursery trade, this small flowering tree is worth the effort.  Implications for breeding are encouraging and we are hoping to conduct some grafting trials to attempt an improvement in plant numbers.  Our original tree was killed in 2015 by excessive flooding in the Ruby Mize Azalea Garden but we have six young trees in the Gayla Mize Garden in better drained soils and part shade.