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Cornus alba 'Elegantissima'
variegated Tartarian dogwood
Siberia, northern China, Korea, and Manchuria (the species); 'Elegantissima' is a cultivar of garden originLearn more
Overview
Cornus alba 'Elegantissima' is variegated Tartarian dogwood (variegated red-twig dogwood), an upright deciduous shrub growing 6-8 feet (1.8-2.4 m) tall and 6-8 feet (1.8-2.4 m) wide. Gray-green leaves with creamy-white irregular margins, ovate, 2-4 inches (5-10 cm). Turns pink to reddish-purple in fall. Creamy white tiny flowers in flat-topped cymes 2-3 inches (5-7 cm) in May-June. Small white to bluish-white berries in fall. Red stems in winter — the red color is most vivid on 1-2 year old growth and fades to gray-brown on older wood. In Cornaceae. The white leaf margins lighten shaded areas. Suckers from the base and can spread into a thicket — this suckering is the primary limitation for tidy plantings. Reversion to solid green foliage occurs on some shoots — remove reverted stems promptly or they will outcompete the variegated growth. Tolerates wet soil and shade. Annual coppicing (removing 1/3 of oldest stems each spring) maintains the vivid red winter stem display. Toxic to pets. Zones 2-8. Full sun to full shade. Growth rate is fast.
Native Range
The species C. alba is native to Siberia, northern China, Korea, and Manchuria. 'Elegantissima' is a cultivar of garden origin.Suggested Uses
Grown in shrub borders, mass plantings, wet sites, and along stream banks spaced 6-8 feet (1.8-2.4 m). Variegated foliage. Red winter stems. Tolerates wet soil and shade. Suckers — allow space. Toxic to pets. Zones 2-8.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6' - 8'
Width/Spread6' - 8'
Reaches mature size in approximately 4 years
Bloom Information
Late spring (May-June). Creamy white tiny flowers in flat-topped cymes 2-3 inches (5-7 cm). 3 weeks of bloom. Bee-pollinated. Small white to bluish-white berries follow in fall.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Creamy white, tiny, 0.2 inch (5 mm), in flat-topped cymes 2-3 inches (5-7 cm) diameterFoliage Description
Gray-green with creamy-white irregular margins, ovate, 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long; turns pink to reddish-purple in fall; the variegation lightens shaded areasGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 2-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Full sun to full shade (2-8 hours — variegation is brighter in more light). Moist soil pH 5.5-7.5 — tolerates wet sites and clay. Coppice annually in early spring: remove 1/3 of oldest stems at ground level to maintain red winter stems. Remove any reverted (solid green) shoots promptly. Suckers — remove unwanted suckers. Toxic to pets. Zones 2-8.Pruning
Coppice annually in early spring (February-March): remove 1/3 of the oldest stems at ground level. This maintains a supply of 1-2 year old stems with the vivid red winter color. Remove any reverted (solid green) shoots at the base. Can be hard-pruned to 6 inches (15 cm) every 2-3 years for complete renewal.Pruning Schedule
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early spring