Cornus sanguinea - Common Dogwood

Cornus sanguinea, or blood twig dogwood, is a small bush, recognisable by its young branches of a very bright shining red, which blaze in winter. In spring, it produces small, nectar-rich, white flowers, which are popular with pollinating insects. Its shining green foliage takes on warm autumnal shades. The red-stemmed dogwood and its varieties are sensational bushes that thrive in any type of soil and form remarkable borders in front of taller shrubs. Invite them into your garden!

Cornus sanguinea is a deciduous bush from the Cornaceae family. It originates from a large part of Europe and eastern Asia. With rapid growth, it has a spreading tufted habit, as tall as it is wide. At maturity, it will reach an average of 2.5 m to 3 m (8.2 ft to 9.8 ft) in all directions if not regularly pruned close to the ground. When regularly pruned, it will not exceed 1.5 m to 1.8 m (4.9 ft to 5.9 ft) in height. This operation promotes the development of young branches, which are much more colourful than the old stems. The foliage is composed of entire leaves, elliptical to ovate in shape with a pointed tip, somewhat soft, and shining green in colour. They take on superb red-orange tones at the end of the season. Flowering takes place in May-June. The tiny white and slightly fragrant flowers are gathered in flat-topped clusters at the tips of young shoots. After pollination by pollinating insects, they give way to clusters of small round berries, initially green, then red, turning dark purple in summer. They delight birds, who thus spread the seeds.

Truly undemanding in terms of soil type and exposure, the blood twig dogwood is easy to maintain and extremely decorative in winter. It can be planted alone in the centre of a perennial bed, in a mixed hedge, or to form large spectacular borders in front of taller shrubs. Its autumn colours blend beautifully with the flowering of asters, and its coloured wood enlivens the dark green or blue foliage of conifers in winter. Cornus gets along well with climbing clematis, which will provide it with a lovely flowering in summer but allow it to fully express itself in winter.