coloured winter cornus stems
Cornus are a wonderful and versatile group of shrubs from dogwoods with specular foliage that grow on thin chalk to humus rich semi shade loving shrubs with giant white or pink brats, to statuesque small trees ideal for the small garden. There must be one to suit most gardeners tastes.
Cornus alba ‘Alba-Variegata’
Cornus alba ‘Alba-Variegata’: A wonderful good all round shrub, 1.5m tall, with strong bright winter stems and delicates white variegation to the leaves that have good autumn colour and clusters of small white flowers in the spring give way to bunches of white berries. Truly a shrub for all seasons. Sun to semi-shade, most soils.
Cornus alba ‘Spaethii’
Cornus alba ‘Spaethii’: A larger more free growing shrub up to 1.8m, with good red stem winter colour and yellow golden variegation to the leaves. Adds a good splash of colour to a darker corner. Sun to part shade. Most soils.
Cornus controversa ‘Variegata’
Cornus contrversa ‘Variegata’: This is a truly wonderful specimen shrub small tree and should be allowed space to truly develop it’s striking habit. It is a slow grower but well worth the wait. Often called the wedding cake for it’s habit of tiered branches with delicate creamy variegated leaves. A most as a statement shrub. Sun to dappled shade most soils.
Cornus kousa var. ‘Chinensis’
Cornus kousa var. ‘Chinensi’: A lovely wide spreading shrub a bit slow but a striking addition to the garden, should be grown in a group or as a specimen shrub. Wide horizontal branches with large mid green leaves, with white brat ‘flowers’ held upright on the branches in mid summer. Humus rich soil in dappled shade, so the brats don’t burn.
Cornus kousa var. ‘Chinensis’
Cornus stolonifera ‘Flarivamea’: A fabulous dogwood, which forms a rangy shrub of up to 2m tall with brilliant green yellow winter stems and bright green foliage and good yellow autumn tints. Most soils sun to semi-shade.
Cornus stolonifera ‘Flaviramea’
Cornus sangguinea ‘Winter flame’: This shrub is all about the autumn and winter, small green leaves turn buttery yellow and remain long on the stems which vary in colour from soft yellow to fiery orange in the depth of winter when the leaves have fallen. Most soils sun. A must for the winter garden.
Cornus sanguinea ‘Winter Flame’
I hope I have inspired you to look again at Cornus and not just think of the obvious winter stems. The summer flowering varieties really to deserve to be planted more, so if you have the space and the right soil, let one of this shrubs be the focal point in your garden.
The beautiful flower’brats’ of Cornus Kousa varitites
If you want to discuss your garden project, from full garden design to planting bed design for an existing set of boarders do give me Emily a ring on 01273 470753, or fill in the form on the web site. I look forward to hearing from you.