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Cornus, Dogwoods Cornus can be nicely divided between colourful stemmed shrubs that relish exposure and are perfectly happy on chalky and acidic ground. The other divisions all enjoy a neutral to acidic soils in a dappled environment, avoiding early morning sun and ideally having filtered sunlight during the heat of the day. There is the odd exception which I will mention as we come across them. Register for FREE if you have not already registered and then click HERE to create a NEWTOPIC and tell us about your favorites?
Firstly I would like to concentrate on some dogwoods that you could consider for those of you with exposed areas to the garden. It is possible with the following varieties to create a really vibrant display of contrasting stem interest. The vibrant colours bought out by the cold and are much stronger on the growth of the year just gone. This is why you cut them hard each February, to encourage the new growth, that will then, colour up in the next winter. There is always exceptions and you need to be aware of some of these to be successful with them. Cornus alba Kesselringii is an almost black stemmed variety that requires a hard cutback to 15 inches off the ground, around mid February. This variety is capable of six-foot or so, each season, form when being cut back hard annually. It is worth putting this variety into an old hedge, and not cutting it back as it then performs fantastically with white, tinted blue, fruits and looks magic in amongst a native hedge. So you need to buy two of those, one for the hedge and one for the exposure and treat them differently. Cornus stolonifera Flavirmea has similar vigour to Cornus alba Kesselringii but this time the stems are almost yellow during the winter months. Again this must be cut back hard around mid February. Cornus alba Westonbirt is the most impressive red Cornus in my opinion and relishes the same treatment as the two Cornus varieties mentioned above. People who do not prune the above types of Cornus, back hard every year, will not get the vibrant colour contrasts, as those who do.
Cornus sanguinea Mid- Winter Fire has a range of colours from yellow through to vibrant orange and iridescent red. Sanguinea types are less vigorous than the ones mentioned above and require more gentle pruning, each February. Cornus alba Spaethii has green splashed gold leaves during the growing season and a lovely warm red colour in the winter. This one is still, reasonably vigorous and is capable of 5 foot or so after being pruned hard in February. Cornus stolonifera Kelsey is a dwarf version of Cornus stolonifera Flavirmea and is therefore more suitable for the small garden. Now I would like to mention Cornus that enjoy a woodland setting, with neutral to acid ground and a filtered light source. Cornus canadensis is a fantastic, low growing, carpeting Cornus which has white flowers in spring and goes very red in the autumn. Cornus mas which is also known as the Cornelian Cherry and there are various variegated versions of it. This is a small tree with fabulous yellow flowers in the winter on bare stems. This is fully hardy and will be happy on many soils as long as you get good drainage. Cornus controversa is known as the Table Dogwood as it grows in flat layers or tiers. There is also Cornus controversa Variegata which is slower growing and absolutely radiates, with its silver edged leaves, from a shaded part of the garden. Cornus alternifolia Argentea also known as the Wedding Cake or Pagoda Wood. This is slow growing and more delicate than that on the Table Dogwood and requires a more protected environment from wind |
