Redtwig dogwood (Cornus alba 'Elegantissima') KOR-nus AL-bah Synonyms:  'Argenteo-marginata' Genus:  Cornus

This vigorous deciduous shrub provides a long season of interest in the garden with its variegated leaves, attractive berries, pretty fall color, and red winter stems.

Noteworthy Characteristics: 

Elegantissima's berries are white, often tinged with blue and green. Its fall color is apricot, gold, and rosey-red. It is a very adaptable plant, but better stem and leaf color will be achieved in full sun.

Care: 

Full sun to part shade, with full sun preferred. Cut back stems to within 2 or 3 buds of the base or to permanent framework in early spring, then feed or apply well-rotted manure and mulch.

Propagation: 

Take hardwood cuttings in fall and winter.

Problems: 

Spot anthracnose (dogwood blight), powdery mildew, Discula blight, canker, bacterial leaf spot, and mushroom root rot can occur, while twig borers, weevils, sawfly, scale insects, aphids, leafhoppers, root knot nematodes, and thrips are common.

Overview

Height 6 ft. to 10 ft. Spread 6 ft. to 10 ft. Growth Pace Fast Grower Light Full Sun to Part Shade Moisture Medium to Wet Maintenance Moderate Characteristics Interesting Bark, Showy Foliage, Showy Fruit Bloom Time Early Summer, Late Spring, Spring, Summer Flower Color White Foliage Color Variegated Foliage Uses Beds and Borders, Specimen Plant/Focal Point, Waterside Seasonal Interest Spring Interest Type Shrubs