Red-barked Dogwood Cornus alba 'Gouchaultii' (v)

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Not blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Cornus alba 'Gouchaultii', commonly known as the variegated redtwig dogwood, is a visually striking plant recognized for its colorful foliage and stems. Its leaves exhibit a compelling mix of green, white, and pink, creating a speckled and margin-pattern that adds texture and variegation to any landscape. As the seasons change, the leaves may transform, providing a dynamic presentation through the growing months. Besides the foliage, one of the most distinctive features of the variegated redtwig dogwood is its twigs and stems. Young branches have a bright red or coral hue that becomes remarkably prominent in winter, offering a stark and beautiful contrast against snowy landscapes or dull winter backdrops. In the warmer months, the red stems serve as a lively background to the multicolored leaves. The plant produces small flowers which are generally white and can add a subtle layer of texture and interest in the spring and early summer. Eventually, these may give way to roundish fruits which are typically a bluish-white shade, though they are not the main attraction compared to the vivid foliage and stems. Throughout the seasons, variegated redtwig dogwood remains a dynamic and visually appealing plant due to its striking colors and varying textures. While the size can vary, its presence in a garden is always felt through its bright stems in winter and variegated leaves during the growing season.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Cornaceae.
- Synonyms
  Tatarian Dogwood, Variegated Red Twig Dogwood, Gouchaultii Red Twig Dogwood.
- Common names
  Cornus alba 'Gouchaultii'
Toxicity
- To humans
  The common name of Cornus alba 'Gouchaultii' is Tatarian Dogwood. Tatarian Dogwood is not known to be highly toxic to humans; however, its berries may cause mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested. Symptoms of ingestion are typically limited to nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It is advisable to avoid eating any part of this ornamental plant.
- To pets
  The Tatarian Dogwood is also not known to be highly toxic to pets; however, similar to humans, consumption of the berries may cause mild gastrointestinal upset in dogs and cats. If a pet ingests the berries, they might experience symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea. As with any non-food plant, it's best to prevent pets from eating the plant to avoid any potential discomfort.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Variegated
- Flower color
  White
- Height
  5-6 feet (1.5-1.8 meters)
- Spread
  5-6 feet (1.5-1.8 meters)
- Plant type
  Shrub
- Hardiness zones
  3-7
- Native area
  Siberia

Benefits

General Benefits
- Attractive Variegated Foliage: The leaves of Cornus alba 'Gouchaultii' feature a mix of green, white, and sometimes pink shades which can add a unique color contrast to any garden.
- Seasonal Interest: This plant provides year-round interest with bright red stems in winter, beautiful foliage in spring and summer, and often colorful fruit and leaves in fall.
- Wildlife Habitat: It offers shelter and food to birds and other wildlife, enhancing biodiversity in your garden.
- Low Maintenance: Cornus alba 'Gouchaultii' is a hardy shrub that requires minimal care once established, making it suitable for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Erosion Control: The dense root system of the plant helps to stabilize soil and prevent erosion, especially in sloped areas of the landscape.
- Adaptable to Various Conditions: It can tolerate a range of soil types, moisture levels, and light conditions.
- Privacy and Screening: This multi-stemmed shrub can be used to create privacy hedges or living screens in the landscape.
- Enhances Garden Design: Its striking appearance can be used to create focal points or to enhance the overall design and aesthetic of a garden.
Medical Properties
- This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Crafting Dyes: The stems and branches of the Red Twig Dogwood can be used to create natural dyes for fabrics and yarns, offering hues that can vary depending on the mordant used.
- Winter Interest in Landscaping: As ornamental plants, they provide stark color contrast in winter gardens when the leaves fall and the red stems become prominent.
- Wildlife Habitat: Red Twig Dogwood can be used to provide shelter and nesting sites for birds within its dense foliage.
- Erosion Control: This plant's extensive root system helps stabilize soil on slopes and riverbanks, preventing erosion.
- Hedging: Red Twig Dogwood can be planted in rows to create dense hedges for privacy or as a windbreak.
- Photography: The stark red stems against snow are often sought after by photographers for their visual impact.
- Garden Stakes: Pruned branches of the Red Twig Dogwood can be repurposed as natural stakes for other plants in the garden.
- Living Structures: Flexible young stems can be woven to create living garden structures such as arches or tunnels.
- Educational Tool: The plant can be used in educational settings to teach about native plant species and their role in local ecosystems.
- Winter Bouquets: Cut stems of Red Twig Dogwood are popular in floral arrangements, especially during the winter for their vibrant color.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Redtwig Dogwood is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Redtwig Dogwood is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Transformation: Cornus alba 'Gouchaultii', commonly known as the Red Twig Dogwood, often symbolizes transformation due to its distinctive change in color from green in the summer to vibrant red in the winter.
- Purity: The white blooms of the Red Twig Dogwood are frequently associated with purity, making it a common plant in rituals and ceremonies that emphasize clean beginnings or innocence.
- Protection: In folklore, the dogwood tree is sometimes thought to offer protection owing to its hardy nature, providing shelter and a safe heaven for various wildlife throughout the seasons.
- Endurance: The robust and adaptable characteristics of the Red Twig Dogwood represent endurance and the ability to withstand various challenges.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

40%

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Late Winter

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
The Red Twig Dogwood should be watered deeply once a week, but frequency should be adjusted depending on weather conditions. During hot, dry periods, water the plant twice a week, whereas in cooler, moist conditions, less frequent watering may be required. It's important to provide the plant with about 1 to 1.5 gallons per watering session, ensuring that the soil is moist but not waterlogged. Always check the soil moisture level before watering to avoid overwatering which can lead to root rot.
Light
The Red Twig Dogwood thrives in full sun to partial shade, making it versatile in various garden settings. The ideal location is where the plant can receive at least four hours of direct sunlight per day, which encourages the best stem color and flowering. However, it can tolerate some shade, especially during the hottest part of the day.
Temperature
The Red Twig Dogwood is hardy and can withstand a wide temperature range, generally surviving temperatures as low as -30 degrees Fahrenheit. However, it grows best in temperatures between 50 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Extreme heat above 95 degrees Fahrenheit might stress the plant, so some shade and additional watering may be beneficial during such hot spells.
Pruning
Prune the Red Twig Dogwood in late winter or early spring to maintain its shape and encourage bright new stems, which are most vibrant on younger growth. Remove about a third of the oldest stems at ground level each year, and trim any broken or diseased branches. Pruning yearly ensures the plant remains visually appealing and healthy.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Variegated Red Twig Dogwood prefers moist, well-draining soil with a pH of 5.5 to 7.5. A mix of loam, sand, and organic matter like compost will support healthy growth.
Repotting
Variegated Red Twig Dogwood grown in containers should be repotted every 2-3 years to prevent root crowding and replenish nutrients in the soil.
Humidity & Misting
Variegated Red Twig Dogwood tolerates a wide range of humidity levels but prefers average to high humidity conditions for optimal growth.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Provide bright light, moderate watering, and consistent humidity.
- Outdoor
  Plant in moist soil, full sun to partial shade.
- Hardiness zone
  2-7 USDA
Life cycle
Cornus alba 'Gouchaultii', commonly known as Variegated Tatarian Dogwood, begins its life as a seed that germinates in favorable conditions with adequate moisture and light. The seedling emerges and develops into a young plant, which gradually matures into a fully grown shrub with multiple stems and variegated leaves featuring green centers and creamy white edges. During spring, the plant produces small white flowers that attract pollinators, leading to the development of clusters of blue-white berries by late summer. Once pollinated, these flowers give way to the fruit, which is often eaten by birds, aiding in seed dispersal. The shrub exhibits vibrant reddish-purple stems in the winter, adding ornamental value to the landscape after the leaves have fallen. Over the years, the shrub can become overgrown and may require periodic pruning to rejuvenate and maintain its shape and size, thus continuing its life cycle.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Late Winter
- Cornus alba 'Gouchaultii', commonly known as Tatarian dogwood, is often propagated by softwood cuttings. This method is popular because it is relatively simple and has a high success rate. In the spring or early summer, when the new growth is just hardening and still has a green flexibility, cuttings should be taken. These cuttings, usually 4 to 6 inches (about 10 to 15 centimeters) long, should have a few leaves left at the top and all others removed. The cut end is then dipped in a rooting hormone to encourage root development and planted in a well-draining potting mix. The pot should be kept in a warm, bright area without direct sunlight, and the soil should be kept consistently moist until roots develop, after which the new plants can be gradually hardened off and eventually planted into their final positions.