About
Cornus mas 'Aureoelegantissima' is a sizable, slow-growing shrub that can reach heights of up to 5 meters. Its foliage features vibrant green leaves edged with broad, irregular creamy-yellow borders that take on shades of pinkish-red, deepening to red and orange as autumn approaches. In summer, it produces a limited number of nearly sterile flowers, which are succeeded by a modest yield of red 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
- Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Alkaline, Neutral, Acid
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, East-facing, North-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs, Trees
- Habit
- Bushy, Spreading branched
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 4-8 metres
- Spread
- 2.5-4 metres
- Time to full height
- 10-20 years
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Foliage can scorch in hot summer sun. For more advice, see flowering dogwood cultivation
- Pruning
- Pruning group 1, but also tolerant of heavy pruning if grown as hedging
- 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 and honey fungus