This vigorous deciduous shrub provides a long season of interest in the garden with its variegated leaves, attractive berries, pretty fall color, and red winter stems.

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Noteworthy Characteristics‘Elegantissima’ has berries that are white and often tinged with blue and green. Its fall colors are apricot, gold, and rosey red. It is a very adaptable plant, but better stem and leaf color will be achieved in full sun.

CarePlant in full sun to partial shade, with full sun preferred. Cut back stems to within two or three buds of the base or to permanent framework in early spring, then feed or apply well-rotted manure and mulch.

PropagationTake hardwood cuttings in fall and winter.

ProblemsSpot anthracnose (dogwood blight), powdery mildew, Discula blight, canker, bacterial leaf spot, and mushroom root rot can occur, while twig borers, weevils, sawfly, scale insects, aphids, leafhoppers, root knot nematodes, and thrips are common.

• Genus : Cornus
• Zones : 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
• Plant Width : 6 to 10 feet
• Plant Height : 6 to 10 feet
• Bloom Time : Early Summer, Late Spring, Spring, Summer
• Growth Rate : Fast
• Light : Full Sun to Partial Shade
• Characteristics : Interesting Bark, Showy Foliage, Showy Fruit
• Moisture : Medium to Wet
• Maintenance : Moderate
• Plant Type : Shrubs
• Plant Seasonal Interest : Spring Interest
• Flower Color : White