Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants
Back to search results
ShrubsTrees

Cornus mas 'Aureoelegantissima' (v)
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

cornelian cherry 'Aureoelegantissima'

A large, slow-growing shrub or small tree, up to 5m in height, with brightly variegated green foliage with broad, irregular, creamy-yellow margins overlain with pinkish red, intensifying to red and orange in the autumn. Very few, almost sterile, flowers are produced in summer followed by equally few red berries

Synonyms
Cornus mas 'Tricolor'
Cornus mas 'Elegantissima'
see moreCornus mas f. aureomarginata

Join the RHS

Become an RHS Member today and save 25% on your first year

Join now
Save to My plants
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metres
Time to ultimate height
10–20 years
Ultimate spread
2.5–4 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Alkaline, Neutral, Acid
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring
Summer Yellow Yellow Pink Green
Autumn Red Orange Yellow Red
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

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

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Cornaceae
Native to the UK
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

Accepted

Advertise here

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Foliage can scorch in hot summer sun. For more advice, see flowering dogwood cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by semi-hardwood or hardwood cuttings or grafting

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

Pruning group 1, but also tolerant of heavy pruning if grown as hedging

Pests

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

Diseases

May be susceptible to cornus anthracnose and honey fungus

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.