Cranberry Shrub Varieties: How to Grow Shrub-Like Cranberries
The large, striking blossoms of flowering dogwood trees (Cornus florida), which emerge on bare branches in the spring, are highly appreciated. The blossoms are made of petal-like bracts. Even though dogwoods are small trees, they can occasionally be too big for a landscape. Is there a shrub of dogwood?
Dogwoods that resemble shrubs do exist, and they are useful in tiny gardens. Dogwood shrubs actually come in a variety of varieties, each with special qualities of its own. Continue reading for more details.
Is There a Shrub Dogwood?
Numerous dogwood shrub varieties, including some that might be referred to as subshrubs, are found in the genus Cornus. With their spectacular fall color, summer berries, and spring flowers, they grow quickly and add year-round interest to gardens.
Nevertheless, shorter dogwood trees do not produce the striking bracts that taller dogwood trees do. Additionally, after the foliage reaches full growth, their flowers emerge. Thus, don’t anticipate them to be as spectacular as dogwood trees.
As a matter of fact, many varieties of dogwood shrubs are grown for their winter interest. The vibrant red stems stand out in an empty backyard during the winter. There are dozens of cultivars of dogwood shrubs, so you’re sure to find one that will look good in your yard.
Common Types of Dogwood Shrubs
The majority of shrub-like plants known as dogwood, such as Tatarian dogwood (Cornus alba), belong to the Cornus genus. This dogwood variety produces tiny yellow flowers in the spring and can reach a height of 10 feet (3 meters). Still, the winter red stems of this shrubby dogwood are the main reason most gardeners choose it.
The vivid red twigs of the redosier dogwood (Cornus sericea), sometimes referred to as red-twig dogwood, are another source of excellent winter color. The striking contrast of the red branches is accentuated when snow falls. Redosier can reach a height of 10 feet (3 meters). Select cultivars ‘Cardinal’ (cherry red stems) or ‘Flaviramea’ (yellow stems) for added stem color.
For those with damp or marshy soil, other dogwood shrub varieties might be more appealing. For instance, the shrub known as silky dogwood (Cornus amomum) is native to the United States and grows in moist prairies and along streambanks. It is also a great choice for wet sites and can reach a height of 10 feet (3 meters) with a rounded canopy.
Maintenance of Dogwood Shrubs
Maintaining dogwood shrubs is not hard. Shrubs, like dogwood trees, thrive in nearly any exposure, from strong shade to full sun. Plant dogwood shrubs in moist soil, either in full sun or partial shade. As mentioned above, some dogwood shrub species do well in soil that is moist either occasionally or regularly. When choosing one, make sure to check the label to make sure it fits your needs.
Plant your dogwood shrubs in the early summer or late spring. After planting, the plants need to be watered frequently during the first growing season. To help the soil retain moisture, mulch should be layered over the root zone.
Dogwoods don’t require a lot of pruning, but if you plant them for winter interest, you should remove the oldest canes on a regular basis. The bright coloration is on new growth. In early spring, trim off roughly one-third of the aging canes.
