Plant dogwood shrubs in spring or early summer. Water the shrubs well after planting and spread a 2-inch-thick layer of mulch over the root zone to prevent soil-moisture loss. Water plants regularly during the first growing season to promote a strong root system.
Pruning Particulars
Dogwood shrubs don’t require frequent pruning, but you can intensify winter stem color by regularly removing older canes. That’s because young woody stems produce bright red, yellow, or orange-red winter colors. Cut back about one-third of the oldest, most faded stems in early spring. Remove damaged or dead stems at the same time. Each subsequent spring cut back another third of the stems. When the pruned dogwood bush emerges from dormancy in the spring, you’ll see an increased number of colorful stems appearing as a result.
More Varieties of Dogwood Shrub
‘Elegantissima’ red twig dogwood
Cornus alba ‘Elegantissima’ features gray-green leaves edged in white open on red stems. It grows 10 feet tall and wide. (Zones 2-8)
‘Golden Shadows’ pagoda dogwood
This variety of Cornus alternifolia offers gold-edge leaves. It bears white springtime flowers and purple fruits in summer and fall. It prefers shade and grows 15 feet tall and wide. (Zones 4-8)
Gray dogwood
Cornus racemosa is an upright North American native shrub with reddish-brown bark that matures to gray. The white spring flowers are followed by white fruit in summer. It grows 10-15 feet tall and wide. (Zones 4-8)
Variegated red twig dogwood
Cornus alba ‘Elegantissima’ has variegated leaves, white berries, stunning fall color, and showy red stems in winter. (Zones 2–8)
‘Ivory Halo’ red twig dogwood
This Cornus alba selection is a compact shrub featuring white-edge medium green leaves and bright red twigs. It grows 6 feet tall and wide. (Zones 3-7)
‘Isanti’ Red Osier dogwood
Cornus sericea ‘Isanti’ forms a dense, compact shrub of red stems. It grows 6 feet tall and wide. (Zones 2-8)
