Red Barked Dogwood (cornus alba)

• Deciduous shrub (up to 3m tall/spread), prized for vibrant red or yellow stems that provide brilliant winter colour when leaves fall.
• Attractive variegated or green leaves in summer; small white flowers in spring/summer followed by white (sometimes blue-tinged) berries in autumn.
• Excellent for wildlife: berries feed birds; flowers attract pollinators; dense growth offers shelter.
• Highly versatile – ideal for borders, hedges, waterside planting, or massing for winter stem effect; tolerates wet soils.
• Easy to grow, hardy, and low-maintenance; stems brightest on young growth (prune hard annually).

Planting Guide

• Best time: Bare-root November–March (dormant season); container-grown anytime, ideally autumn or early spring.
• Location: Full sun for brightest stem colour (partial shade tolerated); moist but well-drained soil (thrives in wet/clay sites, tolerates most except very dry); sheltered or exposed.
• Preparation: Dig hole twice root width; add organic matter to poor or dry soils.
• Planting: Set at original depth (check soil mark on stem); firm in, water well, mulch base to control weeds and conserve soil moisture (keep clear of stems).
• Aftercare: Water well first year in dry spells; prune hard in early spring (cut to 10–15cm above ground every 1–2 years for best stem colour); minimal feeding needed; generally pest/disease-free.