Cornus wilsoniana

RHS Plant Profile

Wilson's dogwood

John Fielding

Synonyms

Swida wilsoniana

Trees Shrubs

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A deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub or small tree with grey-green foliage and showy bark which ranges from green to grey to white on mature specimens. Clusters of small white flowers appear in the spring to early summer and purple-black berries in the autumn

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

8-12 metres

Max Spread

wider than 8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 10–20 years
Max Spread: wider than 8 metres
Max Height: 8-12 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: 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): H4

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Cornaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous, Semi evergreen
Habit: 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: Correct
Plant Range: C & S China

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained, acid to neutral soil in sun or partial shade. It performs best in cooler summer climates, keep consistently moist and provide adequate mulch. . For more advice, see flowering dogwood cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by softwood or hardwood cuttings or by grafting

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Low Maintenance

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

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

Diseases

May be susceptible to cornus anthracnose and honey fungus