About

This suckering, medium-sized, deciduous shrub, forming thickets of yellow-orange stems with red tips,brightest in winter.Simple, oval leaves give some autumn colour; small, off-white flowersin late spring or early summer are followed by white berries.

About the genus

Cornus can be deciduous shrubs or trees, or creeping, woody-based perennials, some with brightly coloured young stems. Tiny flowers are borne in dense clusters, sometimes with showy bracts. Many have fine autumn colour

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Poorly-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7

Plant details

Plant typeShrubs
HabitSuckering
FoliageDeciduous
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden

Care notes

CultivationWill grow in most soil conditions in sun or partial shade. For more information see winter stem colour cultivation or flowering dogwood cultivation
PruningPruning group 7
PropagationPropagate by hardwood cuttings
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free but may be susceptible to horse chestnut scale
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to cornus anthracnose and honey fungus