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Cornus alba ‘Elegantissima’ – Variegated Red-Barked Dogwood
Cornus alba ‘Elegantissima’ is a striking deciduous shrub valued for its elegant variegated foliage and vivid winter stem colour. Throughout spring and summer, the plant produces soft green leaves edged with creamy white, creating a bright and airy presence in borders and mixed shrub plantings.
Reaching approximately 2–3 metres in height with a spread of 2–3 metres, this hardy shrub forms a graceful, multi-stemmed structure that provides interest across the seasons. In early summer, small clusters of creamy-white flowers appear among the foliage, followed by decorative white berries that can attract birds.
As autumn arrives, the leaves take on subtle warm tones before falling to reveal the plant’s most dramatic feature — vibrant red stems that stand out beautifully against winter landscapes. This makes Cornus alba ‘Elegantissima’ particularly valuable for adding colour and structure to the garden during the colder months.
This versatile shrub thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil, though it is tolerant of a wide range of garden conditions once established. It works especially well planted in groups, mixed shrub borders, or near water features where the winter stems can be fully appreciated.
For the brightest stem colour, stems can be pruned hard in early spring, encouraging fresh new growth that will produce the most vivid red stems the following winter.
Seasonal Interest
May – June: Small creamy-white flower clusters appear
Summer: Variegated foliage brightens borders
Autumn: Leaves develop warm tones before falling
Winter: Bright red stems provide striking winter colour
With its graceful variegated foliage and brilliant winter stems, Cornus alba ‘Elegantissima’ is an excellent all-season shrub for adding structure, brightness, and winter interest to garden borders and landscapes.
Cornus alba ‘Elegantissima’ – Variegated Red-Barked Dogwood
Cornus alba ‘Elegantissima’ is a striking deciduous shrub valued for its elegant variegated foliage and vivid winter stem colour. Throughout spring and summer, the plant produces soft green leaves edged with creamy white, creating a bright and airy presence in borders and mixed shrub plantings.
Reaching approximately 2–3 metres in height with a spread of 2–3 metres, this hardy shrub forms a graceful, multi-stemmed structure that provides interest across the seasons. In early summer, small clusters of creamy-white flowers appear among the foliage, followed by decorative white berries that can attract birds.
As autumn arrives, the leaves take on subtle warm tones before falling to reveal the plant’s most dramatic feature — vibrant red stems that stand out beautifully against winter landscapes. This makes Cornus alba ‘Elegantissima’ particularly valuable for adding colour and structure to the garden during the colder months.
This versatile shrub thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil, though it is tolerant of a wide range of garden conditions once established. It works especially well planted in groups, mixed shrub borders, or near water features where the winter stems can be fully appreciated.
For the brightest stem colour, stems can be pruned hard in early spring, encouraging fresh new growth that will produce the most vivid red stems the following winter.
Seasonal Interest
May – June: Small creamy-white flower clusters appear
Summer: Variegated foliage brightens borders
Autumn: Leaves develop warm tones before falling
Winter: Bright red stems provide striking winter colour
With its graceful variegated foliage and brilliant winter stems, Cornus alba ‘Elegantissima’ is an excellent all-season shrub for adding structure, brightness, and winter interest to garden borders and landscapes.