CORNUS
CORNUS
Commonly known as Japanese dogwood
Genus of about 60 species of mainly deciduous shrubs and small trees from grasslands, thickets, woodland, rocky slopes and swamps mainly in northern temperate areas.
Grown for their showy bracts, elegant habit, fruits and colourful autumn leaves.
The species have been used as food and medicine and in manufacture of small implements and cutting boards. The wood is beautiful, fine-grained and hard.
The "dogwood' name might have come from the "dags" (daggers, skewers and arrows) made from the slender stems. Fruits were known as "dogberries".
Two species are represented in the UK. C. mas is a widely found introduction, C sanguinea, a native, extending particularly on chalk as far north as the Midlands.
Full Plant Details - Sun/Soil & other attributes
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Good to know
A rarer, slow-growing form grown primarily for the foliage. -
Pests & Diseases
None. -
Place of origin
Korea, Japan. -
DeciduousWavy-margined leaves to 8cm (3in) long. Leaves turn pink and red in autumn.
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Fully hardy
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Silver variegated
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Height
2.5m (8ft) -
Spread
2m (6ft) -
Medium shrubTypically grow to around 4-6 feet in height
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Hardy - cold winter
Hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters. May not withstand open/exposed sites or central/northern locations. Plant can withstand temperatures down to -15°C (5°F) -
Fertile well drained soilHumus-rich.
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Neutral to acid soil
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Partial shade
Best in partial shade as can scorch in full sun. -
Broadly conical
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Mature Size2.5m (8ft)
2m (6ft)
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