Red-barked dogwood 'Elegantissima' Cornus alba 'Elegantissima' (v)

Water

Red Twig Dogwood requires consistent moisture and should be watered deeply once a week, applying approximately 1 to 1.5 gallons of water each time for a mature shrub, depending on weather conditions. During hotter, dryer periods, this watering frequency might need to increase to twice a week. The goal is to maintain evenly moist soil, but not waterlogged, as standing water can lead to root rot. During the winter months, when the plant is dormant, you can reduce watering. Always check the top few inches of soil for dryness before watering.

Light

Red Twig Dogwood thrives in a spot that receives full sun to partial shade. It is quite adaptable but will produce the best color in its stems when planted where it can receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. The plant can also grow in more shaded areas, but its red twig coloration may not be as vibrant, and it might produce fewer blooms.

Temperature

Red Twig Dogwood is hardy and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures. It can survive winter cold down to -30°F and can handle summer temperatures as high as 90°F. The ideal growing temperature for the Red Twig Dogwood is between 50°F and 75°F, which encourages robust growth and vibrant stem color.

Pruning

Pruning Red Twig Dogwood is important to encourage vibrant stem color, which is most pronounced on younger wood. Prune one-third of the oldest stems down to the ground in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. This promotes the growth of new stems that will display the best color. Regular pruning also maintains the plant's shape and health, removing any damaged or diseased branches.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

The Red Twig Dogwood thrives in well-drained, fertile soil with a pH range of 5.5 to 7.5. A mix of loamy soil with organic compost and peat moss is ideal for this shrub, ensuring adequate drainage and nutrient content.

Repotting

The Red Twig Dogwood, when grown in containers, should be repotted every 2-3 years to prevent becoming root-bound and to replenish its soil.

Humidity & Misting

Red Twig Dogwood is tolerant of a wide range of humidity levels and does not require specific humidity conditions to thrive.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Keep in bright, indirect light and water when top soil is dry.

• Outdoor

  Plant in sun to partial shade, water regularly, and mulch root zone.

• Hardiness zone

  2-7 USDA

Life cycle

Cornus alba 'Elegantissima', commonly known as the variegated red twig dogwood, initiates its life cycle as a seed, which upon germination in early spring, develops a root system and a shoot that emerges above the soil. As the shoot grows, it develops into a young sapling with characteristic variegated leaves—green with white edges—and begins the process of photosynthesis. During the active growing seasons of spring and summer, the sapling matures into a multi-stemmed shrub, increasing in both height and spread through vegetative growth and potentially through basal suckering. Once mature, it produces small, white flowers in late spring to early summer, which upon pollination, turn into white or blueish fruits (drupes) that are often eaten and dispersed by birds. In the autumn, the leaves drop, revealing the striking red stems that are especially visible in winter and a primary feature of this ornamental plant. The cycle can then start anew with seeds from the previous year's drupes germinating, or through the plant's ability to sprout new shoots from its root system or surviving stems after being cut back, a practice often undertaken to encourage vibrant stem color.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Early Spring

• Propogation: The most popular method of propagating the Red Twig Dogwood (Cornus alba 'Elegantissima') is through softwood cuttings, ideally carried out in late spring to early summer. To propagate, choose a healthy stem and make a cut to create a 4- to 6-inch long cutting, ensuring that there are several leaves present. The bottom end of the cutting, which was closest to the base of the original plant, should be dipped in rooting hormone powder to increase the chance of root development. This end is then inserted into a pot filled with a mix of peat and perlite or a good quality potting soil, burying it about two inches deep to provide stability. The pot should be placed in a bright spot out of direct sunlight, and the soil kept consistently moist but not wet, allowing roots to develop over several weeks. After roots have established, the new Red Twig Dogwood can be transplanted into the garden or a larger container.