About
Cornus alternifolia 'Silver Giant' is a small tree or large shrub that features a rounded, spreading form. Its leaves are oval and exhibit a variegated pattern of grey-green with silver-white edges. In early to mid-summer, this plant produces creamy-white flower bracts, which are succeeded by pink berries resembling strawberries in the fall.
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, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs, Trees
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 2.5-4 metres
- Spread
- 2.5-4 metres
- Time to full height
- 10-20 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Architectural
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained, neutral to acid soil in sun or light shade. For more advice, see flowering dogwood cultivation
- Pruning
- See pruning group 1
- Propagation
- Propagate by semi-hardwood or hardwood cuttings or grafting
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free but may be susceptible to horse chestnut scale
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to cornus anthracnose disease