One of the great joys of many dogwoods is the way their bare stems come into their own in winter. Once the leaves have fallen, bright reds, oranges or golds glow in low light, especially against a simple backdrop of lawn, gravel or snow. A small group of Cornus can transform a dull corner into something special, giving you a reason to look out of the window even on grey days. They prove that the garden can be colourful long after summer has gone.
Common name: Dogwood
Latin name: Cornus
Size in UK gardens: Depending on variety, usually 1.5–3m tall × 1.5–3m wide for coloured‑stem shrubs, and around 3–6m tall for small flowering trees over time.
Best position: A sunny or lightly shaded spot in a border, shrub bed or lawn, with room for stems or branches to show off their colour and shape.
Soil: Moist but free‑draining garden soil is ideal. Many dogwoods enjoy soil that doesn’t dry out too much, though they still dislike being permanently waterlogged.
Flowering time: Spring blossom on many forms, followed by berries; coloured‑stem types give their main show in winter, when bare stems glow in low light.
Fragrance: Some flowering dogwoods have a light, pleasant scent, but most are grown more for flowers, stems and autumn colour than strong perfume.
Hardiness: Generally very hardy in UK conditions, coping well with typical winter cold.
Care level: Easy and forgiving once established – a good choice for gardeners who want strong seasonal interest without complicated care.
Rather than travelling halfway across Europe, our mimosa trees are grown on site by the Simpson’s team. They’re toughened to local conditions, properly potted, and ready to get growing the moment you plant them.
Planting time: Cornus can be planted in most months when the soil is workable and not waterlogged, with spring and autumn usually the gentlest times for roots to establish.
Watering: Water regularly through the first growing season, especially in dry spells, so the roots can spread into the surrounding soil. Once established, many dogwoods only need extra water in prolonged drought.
Feeding: An annual mulch of garden compost or well‑rotted manure in spring is usually enough to keep plants happy; in average garden soil they rarely need heavy feeding.
Pruning: Pruning depends on the type – coloured‑stem shrubs benefit from regular cutting back, while flowering tree forms need only light shaping. A little attention at the right time keeps them looking their best.
Winter: Most Cornus take normal Cambridgeshire winters in their stride. Deciduous leaves fall naturally and stems may show off their best colours in the colder months, with no special protection needed once plants are established.
Availability is always changing, so please check with us if you have a particular variety in mind.
