Red dogwood captivates with impressive colors all year round. From May to June, white umbel flowers appear on its initially grey-green branches. The fresh green foliage takes on a bright burgundy color in autumn to accentuate the black-red berries. Following the shedding of the leaves, the now bright burgundy branches stage themselves throughout the winter. These answers to frequently asked questions reveal how to cultivate the native magnificent shrub in the garden.

In summer it bears white flowers, in winter it inspires with red branches

Plant red dogwood properly

Young plants are offered in specialist shops as container goods, which has the advantage of a flexible planting time. Ideally, plant a red dogwood in the sun-warmed soil in autumn. Choose a sunny spot with nutrient-rich soil to dig a planting pit twice the volume of the root ball. Add compost and horn shavings (€32.93) to the soil for a vital start to plant life. Please ensure that the ball of earth is flush with the garden soil at the end. Finally, water and mulch with leaves, pine needles or bark mulch.

care tips

If you pay attention to the following care measures, you will enjoy your red dogwood for many years:

  • Water the shrub regularly once the surface has dried
  • Fertilize organically in autumn and spring with compost, horn shavings (€32.93) or a slow-release fertilizer
  • During the leafless period, thin out the wood carefully and remove 3-5 of the oldest branches
  • Shorten shoots that are too long immediately after flowering

The native ornamental shrub does not need winter protection. Freshly planted specimens still get a layer of leaves on the root disc, since the robust winter hardiness has not yet fully developed.

Which location is suitable?

The basic requirement for the winter red coloring of the branches is a sunny location. Although a Cornus sanguinea thrives just as luxuriantly in partially shaded locations, you will look in vain for the red twigs in locations with little light. The ornamental tree proves to be tolerant of the soil conditions. The shrub performs well in any normal, freshly moist to moderately dry soil.
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What soil does the plant need?

In nutrient- and base-rich soil, you will get the best out of a red dogwood. The ornamental shrub feels at home in fresh, moist to moderately dry clay or loamy soil with a deep structure. The tree will not take root in waterlogged or poor soil.

Properly cut red dogwood

A red dogwood only lives up to its name when it undergoes an annual pruning. It is only the annual shoots whose bark turns bright red in winter. The older branches take on a dreary, gray color and are visibly bare. How to cut the ornamental wood correctly:

  • Shorten shoots that are too long by half to two thirds immediately after flowering
  • Start each cut 2-3mm above an outward leaf node
  • Remove 3-5 specimens from the oldest branches close to the ground

Consistent thinning is essential to make room for the young branches. This action can also be done during the leafless winter season when you have a better view of the branch.
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Watering the red dogwood

Regular watering during summer drought is one of the mainstays of professional care. If there is no rain, water the red dogwood when the top 2-3 cm of soil has dried. Avoid overhead irrigation to prevent the ornamental tree from becoming a victim of fungal infections, which find ideal living conditions on moist foliage.

Fertilize red dogwood properly

With an organic fertilization in autumn you set the course for a lush spring bloom. Work mature compost, leaf compost, bark humus or guano granules onto the surface of the root disc with a rake and pour in more. It is advantageous to repeatedly spray the mulch layer with potassium-rich comfrey manure to strengthen winter hardiness. Shortly before flowering begins, the shrub receives another portion of compost for a vital start to the season.

hibernate

As a native tree, the red dogwood is well prepared for the cold season. Cracking frost and a thick layer of snow do not deter adult specimens from their floral concept. In the year of planting, we still recommend a light winter protection, since the complete cold resistance is not yet available. Spread a layer of leaves on the root disk and lay needle brushwood over it.

Propagating red dogwood

The following propagation methods are available for breeding other ornamental shrubs:

  • Plant non-flowering cuttings in April/May in pots with poor substrate
  • In summer, pull down half-lignified branches, cover the middle with soil so that a root system forms there
  • In winter, cut sticks from woody branches to root them in the pot or bed

In addition, red dogwood forms strong foothills. Cut them off with a spade in order to plant 5-10 cm long pieces in the nutrient-rich soil at the new location.

Red dogwood in pot

The dwarf dogwood, which rarely exceeds a growth height of 80 cm, is primarily suitable for pot culture. Only fill the pot plant soil into the container when you have spread some potsherds on the bottom of the pot as drainage. Water the ornamental tree regularly, as the substrate dries out quickly in a sunny location. From April to August, give a liquid fertilizer every 3-4 weeks. For a topiary, cut back branches that are too long immediately after flowering. Thorough thinning out in late winter creates space for young shoots, which will attract everyone's attention next year with their fiery red bark.

Is Red Dogwood Poisonous?

The leaves are covered with fine hairs that can cause allergies and inflammation if they come into contact with the skin. Therefore, always wear gloves when approaching the shrub for maintenance work. In addition, although the small berries are immensely popular with birds, they are inedible for the human stomach. Since intentional or unintentional consumption triggers symptoms of poisoning, this dogwood species is not suitable for the family garden.
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Beautiful varieties

  • Winter Beauty: Compact Cornus sanguinea with orange-yellow fall foliage and scarlet winter branches
  • Midwinter Fire: The winter-colored branches glow like a flickering fire when the yellow-orange leaves have fallen
  • Compressa: Decorative dwarf dogwood for the small garden thanks to a graceful growth height of 80 cm
  • Sibirica: Impressive redwood dogwood Cornus alba, whose annual shoots are clad in coral-red bark; 200-300cm

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