Red-barked Dogwood

A tough, hardy stalwart of the winter garden, Cornus alba is a vigorous, suckering deciduous shrub, useful for difficult places in large gardens. It is primarily grown for its rich red winter stems, but it has more to offer. Dark green, ovoid summer foliage takes on red and orange tints in autumn. In late spring rather inconspicuous flat white flower-heads form, and are followed by clusters of little white berries. Red-barked dogwood is an easy-to-grow, low-maintenance shrub which bulks up readily and is often grown along driveways and on banks, and is ideal for the wilder parts of the garden. Once established and growing away well, cut back the stems every March for the best stem colour the following winter.

Site: Tolerates exposure
Soil: Any well-drained soil; tolerates damp soils
Position: Colours best in full sun
Season of interest: Winter and early spring
Hardiness: Very hardy
Height: 13’/4m Spread: 13’/4m in 5-10 years if left unpruned