Cornus
Cornus sanguinea
Dogwood — Cornus sanguinea and its cultivars — is grown primarily for its stunning winter display of bare stems in vivid red, orange, or yellow that glow against frost and snow. In summer it is an inconspicuous green shrub with small white flowers and black berries, but the real show begins after leaf fall. Plant bare-root or container-grown specimens in autumn or spring in moist soil in full sun — the brightest stem colour develops in sunny spots. Space 1m apart. The key to brilliant stems is hard pruning: cut all growth back to 5–10cm above ground every March. This stooling produces a fresh crop of vibrant young stems each winter.
Plan where to grow Cornus using our vegetable garden planner.
When to Plant Cornus
Plant cornus in October, November, March, April. It flowers from May to June.
Companion Plants for Cornus
- Willow
Coloured-stem willows and dogwoods are a classic winter pairing; both like moist soil and are cut back hard in March.
- Silver Birch
The white bark of silver birch is a classic backdrop for red and orange dogwood stems in a winter garden.
- Hazel
Hazel and dogwood grow together in native hedgerows and coppiced woodland, and both respond well to being cut back hard.
Expected Yield
A coppiced clump provides a striking winter stem display every year.
Pruning Cornus
For the best winter stem colour, cut all stems back to 5–10cm above ground in March, once the plants are established (usually from the second spring after planting). If you prefer some height, cut back only a third to half of the oldest stems each year instead.
Common Problems with Cornus
Stems are dull greenish-brown, not bright red
Stem colour fades if not pruned hard. Cut all stems to 10cm in March every year to stimulate fresh, vividly coloured young growth.
Plant suckers and spreads aggressively
Some dogwoods sucker freely. Mow or dig out unwanted shoots promptly, or choose a non-suckering variety for small gardens.
Anthracnose causes stem dieback in wet summers
Prune out affected stems well below the canker. Improve air circulation by thinning and avoid overhead watering.
Cornus: common questions
When should I plant cornus in the UK?
Plant cornus in March–April and October–November.
How far apart should I plant cornus?
Space cornus about 1m apart. It grows to around 2.5m tall.
When does cornus flower?
Cornus usually flowers from May to June in the UK.
When should I prune cornus?
For the best winter stem colour, cut all stems back to 5–10cm above ground in March, once the plants are established (usually from the second spring after planting). If you prefer some height, cut back only a third to half of the oldest stems each year instead.
What grows well with cornus?
Good companions for cornus include Willow, Silver Birch and Hazel. See the companion plants section above for why each one helps.
Is cornus frost hardy?
Yes. Cornus is hardy and survives a normal UK winter outdoors.
Plan your cornus in the allotment planner
Drag and drop plants onto your plot and get personalised sowing reminders.
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