Overview

Cornus sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire' is a bushy, matforming, suckering tree in the genus Cornus, part of the Cornaceae family, with deciduous foliage. It typically grows around 3.0 m tall. Cornus sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire' 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 gardens, wildlife gardens, flower borders and beds and hedging and screens. It is native to Belgium, Brussels-Capital Region, Flemish Region, Walloon Region, Flanders and Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

About

Cornus sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire' is a deciduous Cornus with a mat-forming, suckering habit. It carries clusters of small, creamy-white flowers in spring. The cultivar prefers moist, well-drained soils across a wide pH range and suits sheltered, south-, east- or west-facing positions. It is classed as very hardy to fully hardy in UK gardens.

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 sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire' is a cultivar of dogwood in the Cornaceae, originating from the wider species that grows throughout Europe and western Asia. It flowers from April to June, producing clusters of small creamy-white blooms that are insect-pollinated and later followed by dark berries on the wild species. The plant establishes as a mat-forming, suckering shrub and will produce new shoots from its rootstock over time. Plant it in full sun or partial shade on soils ranging from chalk and sand to clay and loam; it tolerates acid, neutral and alkaline conditions provided the soil is moist but well drained. Aim for a sheltered aspect such as south-, east- or west-facing exposure to reduce wind stress on new stems. Hardiness is H6–H7, meaning it is very hardy to fully hardy for typical UK winters. Use Cornus sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire' in cottage and informal gardens, wildlife areas, mixed flower borders or as a screen or hedging where its suckering habit can be managed. Cut out a few older stems each winter to encourage fresh growth from the base, and allow space for the plant to spread naturally where its mat-forming habit is required.

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, well-drained

Aspect

South-facing, East-facing, West-facing

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

H6, H7

Plant details

Cornus sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Tree

Habit

Bushy, Matforming, Suckering

Foliage

Deciduous

Height

3.0 m

Suggested uses

Cottage and informal gardens, Wildlife gardens, Flower borders and beds, Hedging and screens

Native to

Belgium, Brussels-Capital Region, Flemish Region, Walloon Region, Flanders, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Cornus sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire'

Cultivation

Prefers moist, well-drained soils across a wide pH range; suits sheltered, south-, east- or west-facing positions; very hardy in UK gardens.

Pruning

Prune in late winter or early spring to maintain shape and encourage vibrant stem color.

Propagation

Semi-hardwood or hardwood cuttings, Grafting, Division, Layering

Pest resistance

None

Disease resistance

None

Frequently asked questions

More in the Cornus genus

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  Cornus florida 'Fastigiata'Flowering Dogwood
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