Cornus × rutgersensis Celestial ('Rutdan') (Stellar Series)

RHS Plant Profile

dogwood [Celestial]

Synonyms

Cornus × rutgersensis 'Rutdan'
Cornus kousa 'Celestial'
Cornus × rutgersensis Galaxy
Cornus × rutgersiensis Celestial

Shrubs Trees

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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 turn flatter as they open. Tinged with green as they emerge then opening to pure white with a green centre, these appear from May to June

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