CORNUS continued
last updated 09/01/2018


Cornus nuttallii and its cultivars

The largest known C. nuttallii in this country is around 13m tall, but that is unusual! I would realistically expect nearer 5m!

There are two distinct types of growth habit; the vigorous upright grower, and the more cascading shrubby ones. The latter tends to be more typical of the hybrids with C. florida. The upright forms are more weather resilient; the structure of the more cascading sorts is more vulnerable and indeed susceptible to physical damage during inclement weather. All have stunning red autumn colours.

The flower bracts are the most spectacular in the group, sometimes giving a second flush in September. Like C. florida, they need full sun to ripen the wood to promote flower development. Occurring in April, the six bracts vary from star-shaped to round and over-lapping. They range from greeny-white to cream, sometimes developing a pink flush with age. Note that the hybrids have four bracts like their C. florida parent, although their overall size is reminiscent of C. nuttallii.

The cluster of true flowers in the centre of the bracts is larger than in the other species, and I was struck this last year by their scent. When they were fully open, it was delightful. I was frequently to be seen with pollen on my nose from getting just a bit too close! It is extremely rare for the American species to produce seed in this country.

See also the hybrids Cornus 'Ascona''Dorothy''Eddies White Wonder''Ormonde' and 'Pink Blush'


CORNUS 'Ascona '
(C. florida x C. nuttallii) A small tree with gently pendulous branches. Thus it becomes clothed down to the ground with large white bracts in April. Vivid red autumn colour.

CORNUS nuttallii 'Colrigo Giant'
This vigorous American form was named after the Columbia River Gorge in which it was discovered. It is a magnificent small tree of upright habit with enormous flower heads up to 15cm across in April.

CORNUS nuttallii 'Monarch'
A selected form of broader habit, with large rounded flower bracts and purplish young shoots. Stunning bright red autumn colour.

CORNUS nuttallii 'North Star'
A statuesque form of upright habit with incredibly large flower bracts and dark purple young shoots. It frequently produces a second flush of flowers in the autumn. Lovely autumn colour. The bracts do not expand to overlap, giving a star like effect.

CORNUS nuttallii 'Portlemouth'  
This first occurred in a garden near Salcombe, Devon. It has large flower bracts in April and often again in the autumn, along with good autumn colours, but we find it to be a stout shrubby plant and not a particularly good doer. As a result it is something that we maintain in the collection, but rarely propagate.

CORNUS nuttallii 'Zurico' 
A recent selection, expressing the typical characteristics of this dramatic species at their very best.
See it in our Woodland Walk.

CORNUS 'Ormonde' 
(C. florida x C. nuttallii) A handsome broad small tree with the requisite large flower bracts. Superb autumn colour.

CORNUS officinalis 'Spring Glow'
Previously attributed to Cornus mas, this splendid cultivar is actually a selection of C. officinalis. The most useful visual difference is that C. officinalis with maturity develops attractive exfoliating bark. The late J. C. Raulston introduced this one. As a species, this group flowers best after a cold winter, but this one requires less cold, so is great in warmer climes.
See it in our Winter Garden.

CORNUS 'Pink Blush' 
(C. nuttallii x C. florida var. rubra) This is a fantastic American hybrid Dogwood. As it is of the same parentage, it could be described as a pink-flowered C. 'Eddies White Wonder', but that might be stretching the point a little! It rapidly forms a symmetrical small tree and produces masses of large pink-flushed flower bracts in June, darkening with age. Fabulous autumn colours too. This is a personal favourite of mine. It provides seasonally spectacular multi-season interest and I love its symmetrical habit.
See it in our Woodland Walk.

CORNUS 'Porlock'
(C. capitata x C. kousa) A sister seedling originally to the popular Cornus 'Norman Hadden', 'Porlock' is semi-evergreen dependant on the weather and location, though often less evergreen than C. 'Norman Hadden'. (Consider it to be one step closer to its kousa parentage.) Like its sibling, it bracts later in the summer, being at its best from June into July, or even later. The bracts open creamy white and mature to pink, going through a wonderful almost apricot phase. 
See it in our Gardens.

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