I have a long winding driveway and I'm planning on clearing the cedar trees on both sides and plant either crape myrtles or dogwood trees along the drive. I have crape myrtles currently but have never had a dogwood. I've read mixed reviews for the tree. So I thought I'd come to the experts. Are dogwood trees relatively hardy and low maintenance? Would they do well in Central Texas?

They are more of an understory tree, at least the native species is, and prefers shade to dappled sunlight. There are probably some Kousa cultivars that may work.

Dogwoods are pretty hardy but they are a shade loving tree and grow very well under the canopy of larger trees. Another tree that you might consider that has some same tendencies (great spring bloom, hardy, not overly large) as dogwoods is eastern redbuds. The redbud likes more full sun.

Grew up in Dogwood country here in Texas (Tyler County)...Dogwoods love shade and sandy soils...not sure how they would do in your neck of the woods....Also when they start to show signs of distress it's usually too late to save them...

Roughleaf Dogwood likes full sun.

Roughleaf Dogwood works for Central Texas. Regular dogwood will not do well unless you have deep, sandy soils.

The soil in Central Texas is likely too alkaline for dogwoods to thrive. They prefer a pH from 5.5-7.0 and also prefer well drained soil.

As mentioned, Flowering Dogwood will need some shade and probably a lot of amended soil in central Texas. Roughleaf Dogwood tend to be thicket-forming, so keep that in mind, as well.

If going the Redbud route, consider the Texas Redbud instead of Eastern Redbud. It's a little smaller, but just as pretty and more drought and alkaline tolerant.

My wife "wanted" dogwoods for our front yard. She didn't listen to my advice. So, now, we have 3 dogwoods in the front yard in full sun. Needless to say, they aren't thriving (only one is doing decent). I'm amazed they haven't died yet. Our soil is crap (very shaley - East Tennessee); I've tried to amend around them as much as I can. 2 of them will probably be dug up at some point this year and replaced with redbuds.

Thanks for all of the responses. Appreciate it.

Must have shade. I transplanted two saplings from our home place in Lamar Co to Tarrant Co. They were doing fantastic in the shade of tall crepe myrtles. I didn't like the crepe myrtles and cut them down. The sun killed it in short order.

Have both in high shade under 80' pine canopy. The dogwoods are finicky and tend to root ball if any clay around.

Consider that the crepe myrtles have a much longer blooming period - months compared to weeks.

The trunks of crepes also can be trained into architecturally interesting works of art even when the leaves are off in winter.

Have had trouble with them in central and south texas. They thrived when I was in Longview though.