Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants

Cornus sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire'
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

dogwood 'Midwinter Fire'

A deciduous, spreading shrub to 2m tall, with orange-red and yellow young shoots bearing oval leaves and insignificant white flowers in summer; grown for the coloured stems which are brightest in winter

Join the RHS

Become an RHS Member today and save 30% on your first year

Join now
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
1.5–2.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer White Green
Autumn Orange Pink Black
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Cornaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Suckering
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

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 in autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Hedging and screens
Pruning

Pruning group 7 every couple of years to produce vigorous colourful young shoots will help to keep the shrub compact

Pests

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

Diseases

May be susceptible to cornus anthracnose which may affect weak shoots

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.