Plant of the Month – Shrubby Dogwoods

January 30, 2007 - Cornus alba 'Sibirica' The shrubby dogwoods are just what the doctor ordered when it comes to the winter landscape. Their upward spears of crimson bark shine a light on winter hoar frosts and through snow drifts when they come. In short they are so easy to grow and cultivate that every garden should include one. Both VanDusen Botanical Garden and Queen Elizabeth Park have wonderful specimens on display.

Cultivation Tips:

Cornus alba 'Sibirica' is a deciduous, upright-growing shrub with dark green leaves which bears clusters of small white flowers in spring and early summer, followed by small white berries. It is most commonly grown for its brilliant crimson stems, which are at their best on sunny winter days. The stems are most brightly coloured on the previous summer's growth and gradually darken as spring approaches.

Cornus alba will grow in any soil, moist or dry, but for the best winter stem colour a moist site in full sun is recommended. Hard annual pruning produces the best display of colourful winter stems, but at the expense of flowering growth. However, allow plants to grow unpruned for the first year after planting. Prune in early spring, before bud break, by cutting back all the stems to within 5cm (2 in.) of the ground, or within two buds of the previous year's growth. Neglected plants can be renovated by cutting out the old wood at the centre of the bush.

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