Pruning cornus to maintain their colours
When and how to prune dogwoods?
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Dogwoods or Cornus with decorative wood are shrubs prized for their winter brilliance, when their colourful stems light up the garden with vibrant and warm hues of red, orange, or yellow. In addition to adding a splash of colour during the colder months, they are easy to maintain and perfectly suited to both small gardens and larger spaces. To preserve the beauty of these shrubs over the years, regular pruning is essential. Discover all our tips on when and how to prune dogwoods with coloured wood to ensure a stunning winter display!
Why prune decorative stem dogwoods?
Pruning dogwoods with decorative stems is essential to preserve the brilliance and vibrant colour of their branches, which are their main attraction in winter. In varieties such as white dogwoods, common dogwoods, or stoloniferous dogwoods, only the new shoots of the year display vibrant colours, while older branches fade to brown or greyish tones, diminishing their charm. Dogwoods are fast-growing shrubs, making pruning easy and effective: by cutting them back each year, you encourage the continuous production of young, colourful stems. This practice also helps maintain a dense and compact shape, ideal for small gardens or container growing, and ensures a dazzling winter display when their branches brighten the landscape with their vivid hues. Finally, pruning helps maintain the plant’s health by removing dead or damaged wood, reducing the risk of disease and promoting better growth.
When to prune dogwood?
Pruning dogwoods should be done from the first year after planting to encourage the growth of young, colourful stems. To maintain the intensity of the colours, it is best not to keep stems older than 3 to 4 years, as the bark fades over time. The ideal time for hard pruning is in late winter, before the vegetation resumes, between late February and early March depending on the region. Make sure to prune when there is no risk of frost to avoid weakening the young shoots.
Note: Pruning on a two-year cycle encourages a more natural and flexible growth habit, even if the colour of the stems becomes slightly less vibrant.
How to prune properly in a few simple steps?
The dogwood with decorative wood is easy to prune. Simply equip yourself with a shear, a lopper, or a secateur and follow these steps:
A potted dogwood ready to be pruned
- Prune the stems at a slight angle just above an outward-facing bud to encourage balanced growth.
Using a secateur, make a clean, angled cut just above a bud
- To achieve a compact shrub (around 1 m in height), cut back the stems to about 30 cm from the ground. This technique is ideal for showcasing the colourful young shoots.
- If you prefer a denser and bushier shrub, only shorten one-third to half of the branches.
- Remove about one-third of the oldest, thickest, and least colourful stems each year to encourage vigorous new growth. Leave the young stems intact without shortening them to optimise their colour.
- Remove dead wood at the base of the shrub to maintain a healthy and airy plant.
- Spread a thick layer of compost at the base of the shrub after pruning to promote regrowth and revitalise the plant.
Good to know: You can also cut the shrub back entirely to ground level. This severe pruning results in very colourful stems, but the shrub will take about two years to regain its volume. This practice can also accelerate the ageing of the stump and create a temporary, unsightly gap. For large areas or mass plantings, such as on a slope, hedge trimming is also an option for quicker maintenance.
If you want a compact shrub, you can cut back the branches to about 30 cm from the ground
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