Acidic / Boggy / Chalky / Alkaline / Clay / Heavy / Moist / Well Drained / Light / Sandy
Colourful-barked dogwoods are typically grown for winter colour, when their colourful, leafless stems shine like beacons in the bare winter garden. Cornus alba hails from Siberia, north China and Korea, and is too vigorous for most gardens, but cultivars are much less vigorous. If left unpruned, it will grow into a medium-sized bushy shrub, but it is easy to restrict growth with regular pruning.
Cornus alba 'Elegantissima' has deep red stems, greyish green, white-margined leaves, small, creamy-white flowers and clusters of white berries. For the best show of red stems in autumn, cut them back hard each March. It's tolerant of a wide range of soil types, and produces the brightest winter bark when planted in full sun. It looks fantastic when planted with evergreen shrubs and among spring flowers. For the best show of red stems in autumn, cut them back hard each March.
Advertisement
Plant calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Plant
yes
yes
yes
Flowers
yes
yes
Fruits
yes
yes
Prune
yes
Cornus ‘Elegantissima’ and wildlife
Cornus ‘Elegantissima’ is known for attracting bees and birds. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers and has seeds for birds.
Is Cornus ‘Elegantissima’ poisonous?
Cornus ‘Elegantissima’ has no toxic effects reported.