Cornus alba 'Kesselringii'

An intriguing winter barked dogwood which has colourful deep-red to black stems in winter and dark-green leaves that turn plum-purple in autumn. These dark winter stems look lovely when combined with white barked birch or red stemmed plants.

Cornus alba 'Kesselringii' is a  shrub with year round interest which is ideal for mass plantings and can also make a beautiful informal hedge.

• Position: Full sun or light, dappled shade.
• Soil: Any reasonably well drained soil.
• Hardiness: Hardy
• Flowering Period: May - June.
• Rate of Growth: Vigorous.
• Habit: Cornus alba 'Kesselringii' grows to be a large shrub over time but can be pruned hard yearly if required.
  • Height:  1 - 1.5 m (3 - 5 ft) if pruned yearly or 3 - 4 m (10 - 13 ft) if unpruned.
  • Spread:  1 - 1.5 m (3 - 5 ft) if pruned yearly or 3 - 4 m (10 - 13 ft) if unpruned.

• Pruning: Cornus alba 'Kesselringii' is most attractive if pruned hard to about 30 - 40 cm above the ground early each spring. This will prevent it getting to large and rejuvenate the plant so the bright coloured stems appear each year.