Cornus alba 'Elegantissima'

Also Known As

Cornus alba 'Argenteo-Marginata'
Cream-edge Tatarian Dogwood
Red-twig Dogwood
Variegated Red Twig Dogwood

Plant type

shrub

size

H: 6'-10'
W: 4'-10'

planting zones

2a-9b

More Options

Cornus alba 'Elegantissima' plant details

Cornus alba 'Elegantissima' is a fast-growing broadleaf deciduous shrub with green, variegated and white foliage. In spring and summer white flowers emerge followed by white fruit. Attracts birds. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and even moisture - regular water. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in acidic, average, clay, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Cornus alba 'Elegantissima'

Plant type: shrub
Plant family: cornaceae
Foliage: deciduous green, variegated and white
Mature size: 4 FT - 10 FT - wide, 6 FT - 10 FT - tall
Flowers: white blooms in spring and summer
Uses: fall color, red stems, winter interest, year round interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Cornus alba 'Elegantissima'

USDA Zones: 2a - 9b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
Resistant to: deer and rabbit, verticillium wilt
Soil needs: acidic, average, clay, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

While it has the typical red twigs of this species, this variety is particularly attractive because of its white-edged leaves. S-PSh/M-W

By: Forestfarm

Par excellence…classy deciduous shrub to 8-10' h & w, brilliant purple-red stems glow like neon in winter; summer leaves are elegantly outlined in white, a looker in all seasons! Sun, most soils - moist to wet. Coppice every 3 years or so for best stem color…easy! An elegant 'looker' for ALL seasons!

By: Secret Garden Growers

The Variegated Red Twig Dogwood is a gorgeous addition to any garden that displays its bright red stems in the winter and beautiful white and green leaves in the summer. The added value of the variegation extends the season of interest from only the winter with the type species.

Plants prefer well drained soils but are also very tolerant of growing in clay soils. Afternoon shade increases the amount of variegation, plants in full sun will often show less variegation by the end of the summer. However you want some sun exposure during the winter as direct sunlight turns the stems redder starting in the fall. The one and two year old stems will display the reddest color in the winter so every few years you can prune the plant to about six to ten inches tall in late winter. This will replace the older, less colorful stems with younger stems that grow back from the base over the next summer.

By: Red Panda Nursery

Well known; taxonomically confused, a red twig dogwood with creamy edged leaves.

By: Arrowhead Alpines

Silver edged leaves in summer and blood red twigs in cold weather are incomparable. One of the most beautiful of variegated plants. 5-6' in ten years. Awards: Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.

By: Fantastic Plants

Gray green leaves, broadly margined with cream or white on burgundy red stems makes this very eye-catching. Vigorous, upright growth in any moist soil, even soggy. In winter, the red stems can be riveting, especially against the snow but also has year round interest. Starts blooming in May and flowers sporadically all summer. White berries with tints of blue and green follow around June/July. 2005 Great Plant Pick. Native to Siberia, Manchuria, N. Korea