Dogwoods / Cornus for Irish Gardens

What This Collection Brings to the Garden

Cornus includes shrubs and trees grown for flowers, berries, autumn colour, coloured winter stems or elegant branching, depending on the species and cultivar.

Dogwoods range from flowering trees and shrubs to colourful-stemmed forms that become most valuable in winter. They can contribute blossom, berries, autumn colour or vivid bare stems depending on the species.

Why It Works in Irish Gardens

Ireland’s cool, moisture-retentive conditions suit many Cornus well, particularly where soil does not dry out severely. Stem-colour dogwoods are especially effective in damp ground and respond well to regular renewal pruning.

Choosing the Right Plants

Choose shrubs by mature height and spread, evergreen or deciduous habit and the season in which you want the strongest effect. Allowing enough room at planting usually gives a better result than repeated hard pruning later.

Planting and Care

Water well during establishment and mulch where useful. Prune according to the individual shrub’s flowering habit; unnecessary clipping can reduce flowers, berries and the natural shape.