Plantoftheweek

RED-BARKED DOGWOODS

IF YOU think your garden needs winter charm, plant red-barked dogwoods, Cornus alba. If left to grow naturally, they’re sprawling shrubs. Outstanding variety Cornus alba Sibirica has vivid scarlet winter stems and golden October foliage. Sombre C. a. Kesselringii has purple-red autumn leaves but black stems. For year-round beauty, C. a. Aurea has scarlet winter stems and golden summer leaves. For best results, cut these shrubs back each year in March or early April. That will encourage masses of new young shoots to come up from the low stumps and create a stirring show in the long days of winter. Moisture-retentive soils suit this dogwood best — but it can grow almost anywhere. Stems need full sun to colour best, but will also turn ruddy in partial shade. You can also grow these shrubs freely, without pruning, to create informal screens or loose hedging.