About
Cornus nuttallii 'North Star' is a robust tree that can reach heights of 7.5 meters, characterized by its upward-growing branches. The young shoots begin as purple and develop into broad, dark-green leaves that are simple, opposite, and ovate, turning a rich red in the fall. The tree produces large, star-like flowers with primarily six overlapping, ruffled white bracts that can measure up to 15 centimeters across, encircling a distinct greenish-yellow center. Following the flowering period, a few small, slightly fleshy red berries appear, each adorned with blue-black tips.
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
- Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H4
Plant details
- Plant type
- Trees
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 8-12 metres
- Spread
- 4-8 metres
- Time to full height
- 10-20 years
- Suggested uses
- Architectural, Cottage and informal garden
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained neutral to acid soil in sun or part shade. For more advice, see flowering dogwood cultivation
- Pruning
- Pruning group 1
- Propagation
- Propagate by stratified seed and sow in spring or graft budding. Semi-hardwood cuttings can succeed, but these produce poorer plants.
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free but may be susceptible to horse chestnut scale
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to cornus anthracnose and powdery mildews