- Botanical name: Cornus alba 'Elegantissima'
- Common name: Dogwood
- Family: Cornaceae
- Plant Type: Shrub, Deciduous
White
Golden
- Key features:
- Autumn colour
- Colourful bark
- Flowers
- Attractive to wildlife
Colourful-barked dogwoods are typically grown for winter colour, when their colourful, leafless stems shine like beacons in the bare winter garden. Cornus alba hails from Siberia, north China and Korea, and is too vigorous for most gardens, but cultivars are much less vigorous. If left unpruned, it will grow into a medium-sized bushy shrub, but it is easy to restrict growth with regular pruning.
Cornus alba ‘Elegantissima’ has deep red stems, greyish green, white-margined leaves, small, creamy-white flowers and clusters of white berries. For the best show of red stems in autumn, cut them back hard each March. It’s tolerant of a wide range of soil types, and produces the brightest winter bark when planted in full sun. It looks fantastic when planted with evergreen shrubs and among spring flowers. For the best show of red stems in autumn, cut them back hard each March.
How to grow Cornus 'Elegantissima'
-
Plant size
3m height
4m spread
-
Aspect
East facing, south facing, west facing
- Sun exposure: Full sun, dappled shade, partial shade
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy / clay / heavy / moist / chalky / alkaline / acidic / boggy
Plant calendar
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Plant | ||||||||||||
Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do not Plant in May |
J
Do not Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do Plant in September |
O
Do Plant in October |
N
Do Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
Flowers | ||||||||||||
Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does flower in May |
J
Plant does flower in June |
J
Plant does not flower in July |
A
Plant does not flower in August |
S
Plant does not flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
Fruits | ||||||||||||
Fruits |
J
Plant does not fruit in January |
F
Plant does not fruit in February |
M
Plant does not fruit in March |
A
Plant does not fruit in April |
M
Plant does not fruit in May |
J
Plant does not fruit in June |
J
Plant does fruit in July |
A
Plant does fruit in August |
S
Plant does not fruit in September |
O
Plant does not fruit in October |
N
Plant does not fruit in November |
D
Plant does not fruit in December |
Prune | ||||||||||||
Prune |
J
Do not Prune in January |
F
Do not Prune in February |
M
Do Prune in March |
A
Do not Prune in April |
M
Do not Prune in May |
J
Do not Prune in June |
J
Do not Prune in July |
A
Do not Prune in August |
S
Do not Prune in September |
O
Do not Prune in October |
N
Do not Prune in November |
D
Do not Prune in December |
Cornus 'Elegantissima' and wildlife
Cornus 'Elegantissima' is known for attracting bees and birds. It nectar-pollen-rich-flowers and has seeds for birds.
Attractive to Bees
Does not attract Beneficial insects
Attractive to Birds
Does not attract Butterflies/Moths
Does not attract Other pollinators
Is Cornus 'Elegantissima' poisonous?
Cornus 'Elegantissima' has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People