Question: I want to grow dogwoods. What kind of location do they require, and how do I prepare their soil?

Answer: Dogwoods grow best with morning sun and afternoon shade, although they’ll tolerate full sun where the soils are perfect (i.e., East Texas). They require an acidic soil, similar to what you would provide for azaleas. You’ll need a good bit of it, too, since their root systems will spread 10 feet in each direction. That’s why you don’t see more of them west of I-35.