About
Cornus alba 'Sibirica Ruby' is a medium-sized deciduous shrub that spreads through suckering, creating dense clumps of slender red branches. Its ovate foliage transitions to a rich wine-red hue in the fall. This cultivar is particularly valued for the vibrant red hue of its young stems. When not pruned, it produces clusters of small cream-colored flowers in summer, which give way to bluish-white berries.
About the genus
Cornus includes a variety of deciduous shrubs and trees, as well as prostrate, woody perennials, some featuring vibrant young stems. The small flowers appear in compact clusters, occasionally accompanied by prominent bracts. Several species display attractive foliage in the fall.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs
- Habit
- Suckering
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Spread
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens, Coastal
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Will grow in most soil conditions in sun or partial shade. For more information see winter stem colour cultivation or flowering dogwood cultivation
- Pruning
- Pruning group 7 if growing for stem colour
- Propagation
- Propagate by hardwood cuttings in autumn
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free but may be susceptible to horse chestnut scale
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to cornus anthracnose and honey fungus