How to Grow Cornus
Cornus alba
Cornus (dogwood) is grown primarily for its stunning winter stem colour — vivid reds, oranges, and yellows that light up the garden from November to March. Plant in moist soil in sun or partial shade. The key to brilliant stems is hard pruning (stooling) every spring in March: cut all stems back to 15-30 cm from the ground. This forces vigorous young growth which colours most intensely. Feed and mulch generously after stooling. Without annual pruning, plants become large shrubs with duller old stems. Pairs beautifully with coloured willows and winter-flowering bulbs.
Yearly Lifecycle
Care Essentials
Feed with a balanced fertiliser in spring after hard pruning (stooling). Mulch generously with compost to fuel vigorous regrowth for the best winter stem colour.
Watch For
- Dogwood anthracnose
- Leaf spot
- Scale insects
- Aphids
Companions
Salix (coloured willows), Rubus cockburnianus, Hellebores, Snowdrops
Track your Cornus care schedule — pruning, feeding, and seasonal tasks
Start planning freeCare Requirements
☀️ Light
Sun or partial shade; stems colour best in sun
Grows in full sun to partial shade. Winter stem colour is most vivid in sunny positions. Tolerates shade but stems will be less intensely coloured.
💧 Watering
Prefers moist soil; tolerates wet conditions
Naturally found near water. Thrives in moist to wet soil — ideal for boggy areas, pond margins, and heavy clay that stays damp.
🌱 Fertilizing
Feed generously after stooling in spring
Apply balanced fertiliser and mulch thickly with compost after hard pruning in March. The plant needs fuel to produce the vigorous young growth that colours best.
✂️ Pruning
Stool hard in March for best winter stems
Cut all stems to 15-30 cm from the ground in early March. This annual hard pruning (stooling) is essential for vivid winter stem colour. Young first-year stems are the most colourful.
Growing Tips
Stool hard every spring
Cut all stems back to 15-30 cm from the ground in March. This forces vigorous young growth which produces the most vivid winter stem colour. Without stooling, plants become large and dull.
Feed after stooling
Hard pruning demands energy. Feed generously with balanced fertiliser and mulch thickly with compost after cutting back to fuel strong regrowth.
Plant by water for reflections
The colourful winter stems look spectacular reflected in still water. Plant beside a pond or stream for maximum impact during the dormant months.
Mix colours for drama
Plant red-stemmed C. alba 'Sibirica' alongside yellow-green C. sericea 'Flaviramea' for a striking winter contrast. Add orange C. sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire' for a complete palette.
Pests & Diseases
Pest Scale Insects
Identification: Small brown bumps on stems; sticky honeydew and sooty mould
- Scrub off with a soft brush in winter
- Annual stooling removes most infested wood
- Spray with plant oil winter wash while dormant
Pest Aphids
Identification: Clusters of aphids on young leaves; sticky honeydew
- Encourage natural predators
- Blast off with water
- Spray with fatty acid insecticide if severe
Disease Dogwood Anthracnose Discula destructiva
Symptoms: Brown leaf spots with purple margins; twig dieback; cankers on branches
Treatment: Prune out and destroy affected branches; improve air circulation
Prevention: Avoid overhead watering; ensure good airflow; annual stooling removes infected wood
Disease Leaf Spot
Symptoms: Brown or purple spots on leaves; heavy infections cause premature leaf drop
Treatment: Rake up and destroy fallen leaves; annual stooling removes infected wood
Prevention: Ensure good air circulation; avoid overcrowding
Log Cornus in your garden — track growth, care, and harvests year after year
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