Bareroot Cornus sanguinea (Common Dogwood)

A native deciduous shrub that offers multi seasonal interest, with oval green leaves turning vivid shades of orange and red in autumn before revealing a winter show of colourful stems. The young branches glow in varying intensities of red and purple, creating a more naturalistic effect than some cultivated varieties with uniform stem colour. Clusters of creamy white flowers in early summer develop into black berries that attract garden birds, while the foliage provides food for butterfly larvae. Particularly valuable for wildlife gardens and natural planting schemes, it thrives in most soils including clay and chalk, tolerating both sun and partial shade. The informal growth habit makes it excellent for mixed hedgerows or woodland edges where its changing colours can blend with other native species. A resilient choice for creating habitat value while adding subtle seasonal drama to the landscape.

Family of Trees: Cornaceae

Habit: Deciduous Shrub

Growth Rate: 40-60 cm/year

Optimal Temperature: 10-20°C, hardy to -20°C

Harmful if Eaten?: Non-toxic to Humans and Pets

Flowers or Berries: Creamy White Flowers, Black Berries

Hardiness: H5-H6 (Very Hardy)

Hardiness ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

○ H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
○ H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
○ H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
○ H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
○ H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
○ H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
○ H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
○ H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
○ H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)