Cornus florida 'Rainbow' (v)

RHS Plant Profile

flowering dogwood 'Rainbow'

Synonyms

Cornus florida 'Marzelli'
Cornus florida Marzelli
Cornus florida Rainbow

Trees

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A deciduous, upright, and compact tree to a height of just 3m. Four-petalled flower bracts appear in April and May. Its leaves are green with bold yellow variegation. In autumn the foliage takes on red and purple tints

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height: 2.5-4 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 North–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: Columnar upright
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: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, well-drained, neutral to acid soil in sun or partial shade. Keep roots cool with a mulch in summer. Shelter in exposed locations. For more advice, see flowering dogwood cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Low Maintenance

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

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

Diseases

May be susceptible to cornus anthracnose diseases