About
Cornus sericea is a robust, sprawling shrub that can reach heights of up to 1.8 meters. It features slender, mid-green leaves that have a pale underside, transforming to red as autumn approaches. In winter, the stems display a range of red hues, from deep to bright. The plant produces creamy white flowers in corymbs measuring up to 7.5 centimeters across, which are succeeded by rounded, hard white berries that stand out against the backdrop of fall foliage.
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, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Poorly-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing, North-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs
- Habit
- Suckering
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Spread
- 2.5-4 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden
- Native to
- N America
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Will grow in most soil conditions in sun or partial shade. For more information see winter stem colour cultivation or flowering dogwood cultivation
- Pruning
- Pruning group 7 each year to produce vigorous colourful young shoots will help to keep the shrub compact
- Propagation
- Propagate by hardwood cuttings, semi-ripe cuttings or layering.
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free but may be susceptible to horse chestnut scale
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to cornus anthracnose and honey fungus