Using Cornus in the Garden
Sometimes known as Dogwoods, Cornus are hardy, reliable Shrubs, small Trees and woody Perennials that provide lots of interest in our gardens throughout the year. These varied plants are quick to settle into our garden planting schemes if they are provided with a well-drained, fertile soil in full sun or semi shade.
Cornus can be evergreen or deciduous and have green or variegated foliage, usually with opposite leaf arrangement but some can have alternate leaves. Cornus are especially useful plants in the garden and are grown for their architectural structure, flowers, foliage, fruit, Autumn Colour, and vibrant Winter Stems. They can be used as a single specimen, in group plantings, as background shrubs or for groundcover. Their flowers vary with the species and can be small, white and star-like forming dense clusters followed by berries, some have tiny yellow flowers and a single fruit while others have colourful bracts on layered branches followed by a central strawberry like fruit.
Cornus mas
Cornus mas or more commonly known as Cornelian Cherry is a rounded, deciduous shrub or small tree which makes a lovely specimen in a Shrub or Woodland border. Its clusters of tiny yellow flowers are borne on bare branches in late Winter and provide an early source of nectar for foraging insects. In Autumn glossy, red cherry like fruit are produced, and the green, oval shaped foliage changes to a red purple. Pruning is only required for crossing, damaged or diseased branches and carried out when the tree is dormant before flowering. To create a specimen tree, prune off the lower branches.
Cornus mas flowers in Winter Autumn Fruits
©Julie Munn ©Julie Munn
Cornus controversa ‘Variegata’
Cornus controversa ‘Variegata’ is truly a specimen tree for the garden. When in leaf, its variegated foliage and tiered branches make this plant stand out in any garden situation and provide a focal point in a large shrub border, mixed Woodland or as a specimen in the lawn. Reaching up to 8 metres when mature, it is commonly known as the ‘Wedding Cake Tree’ as its branches resemble the tiers of a cake and should be planted with ample room so it’s spreading habit can be fully appreciated. It will lighten any dark corner & provide excellent contrast to surrounding Shrubs & Trees.
Cornus controversa ‘Variegata’
The flowers appear in May and June, are held above the variegated foliage along the tiered branches and are followed by small black berries. The foliage has a creamy white margin and leaves turn reddish purple in Autumn.
White flowers held upright
Pruning is as for Cornus mas, during the dormant time. Occasionally upright or irregular growth can appear, and this can also be removed, to maintain the tiered shape.
©Julie Munn
Cornus alternifolia ‘Argentea’
Cornus alternifolia ‘Argentea’ or sometimes known as Silver Pagoda Tree, is a smaller shrub than Cornus controversa ‘Variegata’, reaching about 2.5 metres in height and has smaller variegated leaves and generally appears more delicate in its appearance. The branches still create a tiered effect and these shrubs fit nicely into a mixed Shrub border especially if space is an issue. In Spring it has white flowers on flattened heads followed by black-blue berries. Prune at the dormant time to remove unwanted upright shoots and to maintain its shape.
Cornus alternifolia ‘Argentea’ in a mixed Shrub Border
Cornus for Winter Stems
When we think of Dogwoods, it is this group of Cornus that usually come to mind. In Spring & Summer they seem almost a background shrub and blend well in the Shrub border providing a backdrop for other showier flowering Shrubs and Perennials. They have green foliage, sometimes variegated and small clusters of creamy white flowers followed by bluish-white or black berries, depending on species and variety. In Autumn, the foliage changes to red and when all the leaves have fallen, the full effect of their vibrant stems is revealed. During Winter, these stems create structure, interest, and give a warmth to the border during the colder, frosty months. Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’ with its bright red stems is probably the most used in our gardens but Cornus alba ‘Kesselringii’ has dark red stems that turn blackish purple in Winter. Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’ with its orange-red and yellow stems is a real showstopper, resembling flames of a fire. Cornus sericea ‘Flaviramea’ with its greenish-yellow stems, stands out well when planted with evergreens as a
background, giving a contrast of upward growth.
Planted in groups or planting them to come through groundcover plants can be highly effective. Dotted through a mixed Shrub border or using them in Pots and Containers to give contrast also works well.
These woody plants are easy to grow once established and their suckering nature make them ideal plants to propagate and they root readily from cuttings too. New plants should be left unpruned for the first couple of years until a healthy root system has established but once they have settled in, pruning can be quite harsh. Prune down to a pair of leaf buds when growth starts in the Spring or further down at the base for older, well established plants. It is the new growth that provides the vibrant, colourful stems in Winter and give the best display.
Cornus planted with Evergreens (John Massey’s Garden).
Cornus canadensis
Not only can Cornus be large Shrubs or Trees but a plant I love to have in my garden is Cornus
canadensis. It is a small, groundcover Cornus growing to a height of only 10-15cm. This sweet little Cornus, often known as creeping Dogwood, spreads by forming a mat of rhizomes and I have found that once
established it spreads in a very pleasing way without
being invasive. Cornus canadensis © Julie Munn
Planted under Trees and Shrubs, it adds another layer of interest at ground level and looks particularly good under Acers and amongst Ferns or Hosta. On erect stems, oval green leaves form in whorls and the white bracts with central greenish flowers are held above the foliage in late Spring and early Summer. These are followed by red berries in Autumn.
Interesting Groundcover
Cornus kousa
Cornus kousa are large Shrubs or small-medium sized Trees which create a spectacle in the garden, which once mature, give magnificent displays of bracts which appear on tiered branches, held above the foliage during May and June. Cornus florida and nuttallii are other species which have similar growth habits and flowering. These species have mainly white or cream bracts, but some varieties have greenish white to pale or deep pink bracts. Following the flowers, they produce a strawberry like fruit which reddens and contains the seed. The foliage changes in Autumn to red and purple.
Cornus kousa ‘Miss Satomi’
Tiered branches of Bracts ©Julie Munn
©Julie Munn
These species of Cornus have a broad shape when mature and can reach heights of 6 to 12 metres. They rarely need pruning, except to remove any damaged or diseased branches and this can be done in the dormant period. Lower branches can be removed to provide a single trunk if required. Some of the smaller varieties, C. kousa var.chinensis ‘Gold Star’ or ‘China Girl’ grow to a height of between 2.5 – 4 metres and are more suited to a smaller garden. If you have the space for one of these Cornus, they fit nicely into a large Shrub Border,
Woodland Garden or as a single specimen and when in flower create a stunning display and a real talking point.
Cornus florida
Cornus ‘Eddie’s White Wonder’
These are just a few species in the Cornus Genus and they really do add something special in the garden. Once established they give us a season of interest - a ‘Wow’ factor at flowering time, excellent Autumn displays, interest in Winter and provide a resource for Wildlife. They are rarely troubled by pest and disease problems and are unfussy in their requirements, so if you have a space that needs a plant, who doesn’t? Then think about Cornus as a possibility, they are certainly worth it.
‘Happy Gardening’ Written by Julie Munn
©Julie Munn
