Cornus alba

Discussion in 'Other Plants' started by Markymark, Feb 17, 2017.

  1. Markymark

    Markymark Gardener

    Joined:
    Mar 26, 2011
    Messages:
    224
    Occupation:
    Teacher
    Location:
    Liverpool
    Ratings:
    +125
    despite there being loads of info on the internet, I really prefer the advice on this forum. It's nice to be able to actually ' speak ' to someone. This Cornus is about ten years old, I'd say. I really only bought it to grow and cover the fence at the bottom of my garden; I just liked the colour of the leaves! I now know that these plants are generally bought for their winter stem colour. With that in mind, and whilst I am being 'prune-crazy' in the garden, is it right that I should cut this right back to the base, again. Just wondering what it would do if I just left it. Last year, I cut it back very hard and did panic as to whether it would grow back. Thanks...
     

    Attached Files:

    • Like Like x 1
    • "M"

      "M" Total Gardener

      Joined:
      Aug 11, 2012
      Messages:
      18,607
      Location:
      The Garden of England
      Ratings:
      +31,885
      When I had it in my previous garden I trimmed it/pruned it late March.
      If you do it now, you wouldn't get the joy of those beautiful red stems during late winter; snip-snip gone! ;)
       
    • Sandy Ground

      Sandy Ground Total Gardener

      Joined:
      Jun 10, 2015
      Messages:
      2,268
      Gender:
      Male
      Occupation:
      Making things of note.
      Location:
      Scania, Sweden
      Ratings:
      +5,368
      I used to do mine about the same time. The one thing that should be attended to at the same time are the lower branches that touch the ground. These have a tendency to root.
       
      • Agree Agree x 1
      • noisette47

        noisette47 Total Gardener

        Joined:
        Jan 25, 2013
        Messages:
        5,862
        Gender:
        Female
        Location:
        Lot-et-Garonne, Aquitaine
        Ratings:
        +13,962
        Yep, March is good...just before the leaves emerge. It's worth giving it a good feed and soak afterwards, though, to keep it strong and healthy.
         
        • Like Like x 1
        • shiney

          shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

          Joined:
          Jul 3, 2006
          Messages:
          60,998
          Gender:
          Male
          Occupation:
          Retired - Last Century!!!
          Location:
          Herts/Essex border. Zone 8b
          Ratings:
          +117,298
          It also depends on what the leaves are like. There are many albas and a lot of them have different types of leaves (and flowers). If they have pretty leaves, and a lot do, then you also want to for its appearance when in leaf. For instance, variegata or hedgerow gold have quite pretty leaves (both are variegated in different ways. some also turn a deep red in the autumn. Some have flowers are quite bold and others are insignificant.

          If you want to have them for their leaf/flower as well then you cut one third of the branches back to 6" each year. Then you get the best of both worlds. We have a number of different varieties and treat them differently.

          As an example:-

          This is one of the variegata varieties
          333_3330.JPG

          and this is an aurea variety that starts off light green in late Spring and turns more gold in the Summer.
          333_3365.JPG
           
          • Like Like x 3
          • Markymark

            Markymark Gardener

            Joined:
            Mar 26, 2011
            Messages:
            224
            Occupation:
            Teacher
            Location:
            Liverpool
            Ratings:
            +125
            Beautiful! I'm going to leave some branches and cut some! Thanks...
            Am just posting my last ' what the hell is this post'
             
            • Like Like x 2
            • Sandy Ground

              Sandy Ground Total Gardener

              Joined:
              Jun 10, 2015
              Messages:
              2,268
              Gender:
              Male
              Occupation:
              Making things of note.
              Location:
              Scania, Sweden
              Ratings:
              +5,368
              I admit to being a bit sad about the fact that mine had to be removed due to the new drains I laid last year. They gave colour all year round.
               
            • "M"

              "M" Total Gardener

              Joined:
              Aug 11, 2012
              Messages:
              18,607
              Location:
              The Garden of England
              Ratings:
              +31,885
              :waggy: You only had to move them ... not kill them!! :rolleyes:
               
              • Agree Agree x 1
              • redstar

                redstar Total Gardener

                Joined:
                Aug 6, 2008
                Messages:
                7,063
                Gender:
                Female
                Occupation:
                Domestic Goddess
                Location:
                Chester County, PA, USA, Plant zone 4 & 5
                Ratings:
                +10,377
                have these, never pruned, not planning to prune them, do not see a need.
                 
              • shiney

                shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

                Joined:
                Jul 3, 2006
                Messages:
                60,998
                Gender:
                Male
                Occupation:
                Retired - Last Century!!!
                Location:
                Herts/Essex border. Zone 8b
                Ratings:
                +117,298
                I prune them for three reasons: to keep them under control, to give them a more open appearance and to get newer stem growth that has a brighter colour. :)
                 
                • Agree Agree x 1
                • Sandy Ground

                  Sandy Ground Total Gardener

                  Joined:
                  Jun 10, 2015
                  Messages:
                  2,268
                  Gender:
                  Male
                  Occupation:
                  Making things of note.
                  Location:
                  Scania, Sweden
                  Ratings:
                  +5,368
                  There was nowhere else to put them. They couldnt go back where they were due to the positioning of a black water pump. :mad:
                   
                • redstar

                  redstar Total Gardener

                  Joined:
                  Aug 6, 2008
                  Messages:
                  7,063
                  Gender:
                  Female
                  Occupation:
                  Domestic Goddess
                  Location:
                  Chester County, PA, USA, Plant zone 4 & 5
                  Ratings:
                  +10,377
                  can't upload this neat picture of clear ice hanging from the red branches of this shrub. oh, well.
                   
                  • Friendly Friendly x 2
                  Loading...

                  Share This Page

                  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
                    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
                    Dismiss Notice