Cornus Alba 'Kesselringii' - 10 Litre Pot

Product Description

Cornus or Dogwoods, can broadly be split into two groups, the flowering types & the winter stem varieties. Cultivar of Cornus alba, Cornus sericea & Cornus sanguinea are grown for their winter stem colour. Although these species do flower, they have none of the impressive flowering presence of Cornus florida, Cornus kousa & Cornus nuttalii types.

Cornus alba is easy to grow preferring a bright, sunny spot, but growing successfully in part-shade. Cornus alba types are better in reasonably moist soils, where they can grow quickly producing lots of colourful stems. Through regular annual pruning (Coppicing or Stooling to 15cm 6" in late winter), you will see rapid regrowth of perfectly straight, well coloured stems. Cornus sanguinea types are slower growing, so should be pruned either every two, or three years. If unpruned, all stem coloured varieties will lose colour over time, with only the youngest stem tips truly reflecting their magnificence.

If pruning is done less frequently than annually & as the plants get older, they may flower & fruit. The tiny, creamy-white flowers are held in clusters at growth tips & are relatively uninteresting. Flowers are followed by spherical pea-sized fruits, again in clusters, which start out white & change over time to an amazing metallic blue/opal colour.

Cornus alba ' Kesselringii' is a charming plant distinguished from other related varieties by having exceedingly dark stems. Almost black in colour, the intensely dark red shining stems are a delight to behold. Autumn colour is wonderful in a range of violets, reds & oranges giving the appearance for the plant being on fire!

To best show off this plant, plant it in partnership with the lime green stems of Cornus sericea ' Flaviramea', or near a yellow leaved shrub like Choisya ternata ' Sundance'.


Height: 1.5m
Spread: 1m