Overview
Cornus florida 'Fastigiata' is a bushy, matforming, suckering shrubs in the genus Cornus, part of the Cornaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Cornus florida 'Fastigiata' grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6, H7. Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden, wildlife gardens, flower borders and beds and hedging and screens.
About
Cornus florida 'Fastigiata' is a mat-forming, suckering shrub in the Cornaceae valued for its showy spring bracts. It flowers from April to June. It suits full sun to partial shade and takes a wide range of soils provided they are moist but well drained. It is winter-hardy to H6–H7.
About the genus
Cornus is a genus of about 30–60 species of woody plants in the family Cornaceae, commonly known as dogwoods or cornels, which can generally be distinguished by their blossoms, berries, and distinctive bark. Most are deciduous trees or shrubs, but a few species are nearly herbaceous perennial subshrubs, and some species are evergreen. Several species have small heads of inconspicuous flowers surrounded by an involucre of large, typically white petal-like bracts, while others have more open clusters of petal-bearing flowers.
Wikipedia contributors, "Cornus", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Cornus
In the garden
Cornus florida 'Fastigiata' is a cultivar of the flowering dogwood, a member of the Cornaceae grown primarily for its conspicuous spring bracts. The plant produces its display from April to June and develops by producing low shoots from the base, creating a mat-forming, suckering habit that can spread slowly over time.\n\nPlant it where it receives full sun or some afternoon shelter in hotter sites; it tolerates full sun to partial shade. Soils can be chalk, clay, loam or sand and a neutral to acid or alkaline pH range is acceptable, but keep the root run consistently moist yet free-draining. The species copes with exposed and sheltered positions and will take any garden aspect, making it flexible across a range of sites. Translate H6–H7 into practice: this means it stands up to cold UK winters and is described as very hardy to fully hardy.\n\nUse Cornus florida 'Fastigiata' in cottage and informal gardens, wildlife areas, mixed flower borders or as part of a low hedging or screening line. Allow space at the base for new suckers if you wish it to form a loose screen; where suckering is unwanted, remove basal shoots in late winter to keep it confined.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Cornus
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, East-facing, West-facing, North-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6, H7
Plant details
Cornus florida 'Fastigiata' size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Shrubs
- Habit
- Bushy, Matforming, Suckering
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens, Flower borders and beds, Hedging and screens
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Cornus florida 'Fastigiata'
- Propagation
- Semi-hardwood cuttings, Hardwood cuttings, Grafting, Division, Layering
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to cornus anthracnose and honey fungus
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Cornus florida 'Fastigiata'?
Cornus florida 'Fastigiata' prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Cornus florida 'Fastigiata' need?
Cornus florida 'Fastigiata' is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained to well-drained.
Is Cornus florida 'Fastigiata' hardy in the UK?
Cornus florida 'Fastigiata' has an RHS hardiness rating of H6, meaning it is very hardy, tolerating -20 to -15°C across most of the UK.
How do I propagate Cornus florida 'Fastigiata'?
Semi-hardwood cuttings, Hardwood cuttings, Grafting, Division, Layering.
More in the Cornus genus
- Cornus kousa 'Tsukuba No Mine'Kousa Dogwood
- Cornus mas 'Kazanlak' (F)cornelian cherry 'Kasanlaker'
- Cornus sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire'Common dogwood
