Cornus alba Ivory Halo - White Dogwood

The Cornus alba Ivory Halo® is a new variety of white dogwood. It has variegated foliage and is well-suited for small gardens due to its compact and bushy nature. The shrub forms a dense dome and looks elegant with its green leaves outlined with cream-coloured edges. In autumn, it features orange stems that make it stand out, and in winter, it looks stunning with its red and shiny branches. As it ages, this shrub remains strong and resilient with a well-branched base. It can add a touch of brightness to any slightly dark corner of a small garden in both urban and rural areas.

The Cornus alba Ivory Halo is a member of the dogwood family, originally from Siberia, on the banks of the Amur River, and Russia and Manchuria's moist deciduous and coniferous forests. It is a hardy shrub that thrives in harsh and extreme weather conditions near water. The 'Ivory Halo' selection has a compact and regular habit, bushy and abundant. It usually grows slightly taller than wide, but regular pruning can give it a low dome-like shape, wider than tall. The shrub is branched, resembling a thicket, and grows to an average height of 1.60 m (5 to 6 ft) with a spread of 1.20 m. Its growth is relatively fast; its branches are red and shiny, remaining covered in foliage at the base. The deciduous foliage is strongly margined with white cream on a green background, turning yellow-orange before dropping. The leaves are entire, clearly veined and undulated, with a pointed tip. Although its flowering is not its main asset, small white-yellowish flowers arranged in cymes appear, attracting bees. The shrub then bears creamy-white berries containing oily seeds, turning bluish at maturity. The lower branches form suckers or root in the soil, but the shrub does not become invasive.

Dogwoods are versatile plants that can fit into any garden, big or small. Ivory Halo white dogwood is an excellent option for smaller gardens, adding a touch of beauty to shaded areas. It can also be used in mixed hedges or as a backdrop for perennial or shrub borders. Planting it on the edge of the woodlands creates a smooth transition with the countryside. You can create a colourful scene with Helianthus, Heliopsis, or Daylilies. This shrub thrives near water, making it a great choice to plant near a pond alongside the yellow-barked Cornus stolonifera Faviramea and Astilbes.