Dogwood 'Winter Beauty' Cornus sanguinea 'Winter Beauty'

Water

Bloodtwig Dogwood should be watered thoroughly, allowing the soil to become moist but not waterlogged. A good rule of thumb is to water with approximately 1 to 2 gallons per week during the growing season, but this may vary depending on factors like soil type and weather conditions. During hot, dry periods, increase watering frequency to ensure the soil doesn't dry out completely. In the winter, reduce watering as the plant's water requirements decrease. Always check the soil moisture before watering to avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot.

Light

Bloodtwig Dogwood thrives best in full sun to partial shade. The ideal spot would be where the plant receives morning sunlight and partial shade during the intense afternoon heat. However, it can tolerate a range of light conditions from full sun to mostly shade, although too much shade can reduce the vibrancy of its stem color and may lead to fewer flowers.

Temperature

Bloodtwig Dogwood can withstand a range of temperatures but thrives best when the temperature is between 60°F and 75°F. The plant is hardy and can survive winter temperatures down to -30°F, while during the summer months, it can tolerate temperatures up to 95°F without any significant stress. Providing mulch around the base can help regulate soil temperature and provide protection during extreme temperature fluctuations.

Pruning

Bloodtwig Dogwood benefits from pruning to maintain its shape and encourage vibrant stem color, which is most prominent on new growth. Prune in late winter or early spring before new leaves emerge, removing about a third of the oldest stems to ground level. This promotes the growth of new stems which will display the best color the following winter. Additionally, you can remove any damaged or crossing branches to maintain good air circulation.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Bloodtwig Dogwood 'Winter Beauty' thrives in moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter, with a pH of 5.5 to 7.5. A blend of garden soil, compost, and perlite or sand will create an ideal growing medium that supports root growth and retains adequate moisture without becoming waterlogged.

Repotting

Bloodtwig Dogwood 'Winter Beauty' is a garden shrub and generally does not require repotting. Instead, rejuvenation pruning every few years is recommended to maintain health and vigour.

Humidity & Misting

Bloodtwig Dogwood 'Winter Beauty' is tolerant of a range of humidity levels and does not have specific humidity requirements, making it suitable for most garden environments.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Not ideal indoors; needs full sun, periodic pruning, limited space.

• Outdoor

  Plant in full to partial sun, prune in early spring, mulch roots.

• Hardiness zone

  4-7 USDA

Life cycle

Bloodtwig dogwood 'Winter Beauty' begins its life cycle as a seed that germinates in spring, sprouting into a seedling with basic root and shoot structures. As it matures during the growing season, the seedling develops a more complex root system and stems, eventually producing simple, ovate to lanceolate leaves. In its juvenile stage, the plant grows vigorously, but it does not flower or produce berries. Upon reaching maturity, usually after several years, 'Winter Beauty' produces small white flowers in late spring to early summer, grouped in cymes, which are attractive to pollinators. Following pollination, these flowers give way to clusters of black, berry-like drupes which are often eaten by birds. In autumn and winter, after leaf drop, the plant is particularly noted for its colorful red to coral stems, providing winter interest in the landscape, and after several years, the plant may undergo rejuvenation pruning to maintain its vibrant stem coloration and encourage new growth.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Midsummer

• Cornus sanguinea 'Winter Beauty', commonly known as Bloodtwig Dogwood, is a plant that is often propagated by softwood cuttings during the late spring or early summer. To do this, gardeners select healthy, non-flowering shoots from the current season's growth and cut pieces around 5 to 6 inches (12.7 to 15.24 centimeters) in length. Each cutting should have several leaves and at least two nodes, which are the points on the stem where leaves are attached. The bottom leaves are removed, and the cutting base is often dipped in rooting hormone to increase the chances of successful root development. The prepared cuttings are then inserted into a moist potting mix and covered with a plastic bag or placed in a propagator to maintain high humidity levels. Within a few weeks, the cuttings should start to root, and once they have established a decent root system, they can be potted on individually and grown on until they are ready to be planted out.