Cornus alba 'Wintersun'

RHS Plant Profile

dogwood 'Wintersun'

Shrubs

An erect, branched, twiggy shrub to 2m in height, with green stems turning to orange-red in winter, bearing green leaves in spring, then yellow in summer, turning to shades of yellow, red and burgundy in autumn. Creamy flowers in late spring to early summer followed by round, white berries ripening to blueish-white

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand, Chalk

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height: 1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand Chalk

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral or Alkaline

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing or East–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): H6

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Cornaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
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: Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Will grow in most soil conditions in sun or partial shade. For more information see winter stem colour cultivation or flowering dogwood cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Coastal
Wildlife gardens
Hedging and screens
Flower borders and beds
Cut flowers

Pruning

Pruning group 7

Pests

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

Diseases

May be susceptible to cornus anthracnose.