Bloodtwig Dogwood Care
Cornus sanguinea
A deciduous shrub native to Turkey, grown especially for its young stems that turn bright red in winter. To get the most vivid stem color it must be pruned hard (almost to the ground) at the end of every winter; this pruning reduces flower and fruit production.
Monthly care calendar
Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.
- Watering: Not required; winter precipitation is sufficient.
- General care: It is one of the most colorful plants of the winter garden. Its red branches look beautiful even under snow.
- Watering: Not needed; rainfall is sufficient.
- Pruning: **CRITICAL PERIOD:** At the end of the month or in early March, before new growth starts, prune the plant very hard. For the best branch colour, cut all stems back to 10-15 cm above ground (coppicing). This encourages new, brightly coloured stems.
- General care: Clear away pruning debris. You can propagate by separating divisions from the root.
- Watering: Keep the soil moist; if there is no rain, water every 15 days (30 L/m²).
- Fertilizing: After pruning, apply well-rotted farmyard manure, compost, or a slow-release balanced NPK fertilizer to the soil to support rapid growth (do not overfeed).
- Pruning: Prune just before the shoots break. Because flowers form on this year's new shoots, hard pruning increases flowering.
- Plant protection: Check the newly emerging shoots for aphids.
- General care: New shoots come up from the ground quickly. Check the shoots spreading from the roots.
- Pests & diseases: Watch out for aphids.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
- Plant protection: Monitor for leaf spot diseases.
- General care: The shoots lengthen quickly and the plant takes on a green bushy form.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
- General care: Spread a 5-7 cm layer of mulch over the root zone; it retains soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Do not pile mulch against the trunk.
- Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water around the roots to a depth of 15-20 cm.
- General care: The plant stays green throughout summer. If not pruned, it may produce white flowers.
- Pests & diseases: Powdery mildew or leaf spot may appear.
- Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water around the roots to a depth of 15-20 cm.
- General care: Keep it in a position sheltered from midday sun; scorching at the leaf edges is a sign of burn.
- Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water around the roots to a depth of 15-20 cm.
- General care: Autumn coloring (red-purple) may be seen on the leaves.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
- General care: A very suitable time to plant new seedlings. It is especially ideal for places where color is wanted in winter.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
- General care: The leaves begin to fall. As the leaves drop, the color of the branches begins to show.
- Watering: Not required; autumn precipitation is sufficient.
- General care: Collect fallen leaves; many disease agents and pests overwinter under leaves.
- General care: The branches show their most vivid red color. They add color to the winter garden.
The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.
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