Tim Matcham Garden Design

It is really great when you find a plant or group of plants that really make the most of their potential. Some plants have showy flowers that come and go almost before they have had a chance to make an impression. Others have a specific season of interest then need replacing by another plant. As a garden designer I am always on the lookout for plants that have more than one season of interest and can offer something a bit different. There are a number of plants that fall in to this category, today I would like to focus on the dogwood or Cornus family.

Cornus have many different varieties and there are some that produce interesting ‘bracts’ such as Cornus kousa but here I want to spotlight the dogwoods that are best known for the winter colour of their stems. The most popular include Cornus alba ‘Elegantissima’ (red barked), Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’ (red barked), Cornus sericia ‘Flaviramea’ golden barked) and perhaps my favourite Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’ (fiery!).

All of these plants are best known for their winter stem colour and still look amazing as we move towards March. In a few weeks the deciduous shrubs will break forth with a new season of growth. They are best cut back to a few inches above the soil as the best winter colour is achieved on growth put on in the current year. After you cut them back it is worth mulching around the base with compost or manure to help them on their way. The best displays are created using groups of plants planted in damp areas in full sunlight.

When you cut them back, there is a little secret I would like to share with you. You may be tempted to discard the stems to the compost or waste heap – but wait these little beauties have a trick up their sleeve! They still have a good deal of their winter stem colour now and if you bring them in and place them in a tall, upright vase they look great in the house. Then the magic starts – these stems will start to sprout their new years foliage right before your eyes. This comes as a bright acid green foliage that can last for several weeks in a cool room.

Cornus are also very easy to propagate and, if left in the water will frequently produce new root growth from the cut stems, which can then be planted out or shared with friends.

Keep an eye open for these popular plants and look to see if there is somewhere in your garden that you could include some. You won’t regret it!

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