Large, white umbels of flowers, strong green foliage, lush growth - the red dogwood (Cornus sanguinea) also has a lot to offer the gardener. Not only does the native flowering plant, also known as the 'Blood Red Dogwood', have a high ornamental value, it is also very easy to care for, does not make too many demands on the location and soil and is also very tolerant of pruning.
The best time to prune the red dogwood is in early spring
Red dogwood is very tolerant of pruning
Due to its very fast and dense growth, the red dogwood - so called because of the striking red color of its branches - is ideal for hedge planting. However, so that the flowering bush does not grow too much for you or take over the garden too much, you should regularly cut with the pruning shears. Luckily, the Red Dogwood is very tolerant of pruning and doesn't mind more radical pruning. The best time for pruning is a frost-free day in March.
The red dogwood also tolerates radical pruning very well
With the annual pruning, it is sufficient to cut back dead shoots down to the healthy wood and not to prune the bush from the outside, but also to thin out the inside. Should it be necessary - for example because the shrub in question has been neglected for many years - a radical cut can also be carried out, in which all shoots are cut back to a hand's breadth above the ground. The dogwood will reliably sprout again next spring and can be kept in shape from the start with appropriate pruning measures.
What you should consider when pruning the red dogwood
In principle, the red dogwood can be pruned throughout the year, provided this measure is not carried out in frost. However, a mild day in March is best, and the wood should be supplied with a little compost after pruning. In addition, the rule applies that older shrubs should be pruned more drastically, but younger ones more gently. With younger shrubs up to an age of about three to four years, it is sufficient to remove no more than a third of the old shoots.
tips
When pruning, make sure to cut above the branches - only then will the dogwood sprout all the more bushy. It's also a good idea to wear gloves. The bark and leaves of the dogwood contain toxins that can cause a rash.