The flower dogwood is one of the few garden plants that should be pruned as little as possible. It is best to let it grow as nature dictates. Its beautiful shape is particularly effective as a solitary plant.
In principle, the flower dogwood does not need pruning
Some dogwood varieties should be pruned back at least every few years. These include, above all, the varieties with colored wood, i.e. the yellow dogwood or the red dogwood. The reason for regular pruning is quite simple: over time, the attractive color of the bark fades. Only the young shoots are brightly colored. By pruning, you promote budding and preserve the color.
However, other rules apply to the varieties of flower dogwood. They often form beautiful spreading crowns, with mostly horizontal branches. This makes them particularly decorative as solitary plants. If you have a flowering dogwood that grows very sparsely or does not branch well, you can prune it a little. However, you should leave a healthy flowering dogwood with attractive growth as it grows naturally.
How do I keep my flower dogwood small in the bucket?
If you only have little space, you can also cultivate the flower dogwood in a bucket. Choose a variety that naturally stays on the small side. Don't skimp on the nutrients you need, or your flower dogwood won't bloom as well as you want, or it will become susceptible to powdery mildew or leaf blight. With a careful and moderate pruning you keep the plant in shape. Always use clean and sharp cutting tools for this.
The essentials in brief:
- crop as little as possible
- only cut with clean and sharp tools
- remove diseased and dried shoots
- Topiary only for potted plants or in exceptional cases
tips
As long as your flower dogwood is growing well and has a nice shape, feel free to let it continue to grow. A cut is then not necessary.