Red barked dogwood (Cornus alba)
Care, watering, light and tips for Red barked dogwood on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Cornaceae
- Difficulty: Moderate care
- Watering: every 7 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
About Red barked dogwood
Cornus alba, or White Dogwood, is a deciduous shrub valued for its striking red stems that provide vibrant winter color, and green leaves that turn purple in autumn. It produces small, creamy-white flowers followed by white berries. It is ideal for hedges, borders, or as a standalone specimen to create a colorful focal point.
Native range
Siberia, northern China, and Korea
Care tips
It thrives in full sun to partial shade for optimal stem color development. It requires moist but well-drained soil, tolerating a range of soil types, including clay. Water regularly, especially during dry periods, and prune annually in late winter or early spring to encourage new, brightly colored red stems, as younger stems exhibit the best color. Avoid prolonged waterlogging, which can lead to root rot.
How to save a dying Red barked dogwood
- Warning signs
- Wilting or dry leaves, brown tips, foliage discoloration, soft stems.
- First aid
- Check soil moisture. If dry, water deeply. If waterlogged, aerate and pause watering. Protect from intense direct sun.
- What kills it
- Prolonged drought or constant waterlogging. It doesn't tolerate very dry or soggy soils, especially in summer.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if you act quickly. Proper watering and good placement usually revive it if damage isn't extreme.