Cornus × rutgersensis Ruth Ellen ('Rutlan') (Stellar Series)

RHS Plant Profile
dogwood [Ruth Ellen]

Save a plant

Where do you want to save Cornus × rutgersensis Ruth Ellen ('Rutlan') (Stellar Series)?

Plants I own
Wishlist
Go to My Plants

Synonyms

Cornus × rutgersensis 'Rutlan'
Cornus × rutgersiensis 'Ruth Ellen'

Award of Garden Merit
Shrubs Trees
Buy this from Plant Nurseries
3 Suppliers

A large shrub or small, deciduous tree up to 6m in height, with an upright habit and green foliage, turning to shades of plum-purple in the autumn. Masses of slightly overlapping, rounded, petal-like bracts open to pure white with a green centre, appearing from April to May

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Cornaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy, Spreading branched
Genus
Cornus can be deciduous shrubs or trees, or creeping, woody-based perennials, some with brightly coloured young stems. Tiny flowers are borne in dense clusters, sometimes with showy bracts. Many have fine autumn colour
Name Status
Trade

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, humus-rich well-drained soil in sun or partial shade in a warm, sunny position for summer heat, with shelter from cold winds. For more advice, see flowering dogwood cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by grafting or from semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

Generally pest-free but may be susceptible to horse chestnut scale

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus (sometimes), cornus anthracnose diseases and powdery mildews