Tatarian dogwood (Cornus alba 'Sibirica')
Cornus alba 'Sibirica' adds brilliant red winter stems, creamy white flowers, and is a low-maintenance choice for hedges and screens.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Tatarian dogwood, specifically the cultivar Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’, is highly valued for its architectural presence that extends even after leaf drop. During the winter months, this shrub provides sensational color, featuring brilliant red stems that truly stand out against snow or dark evergreens. As a rapid-growing, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub, Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’ offers year-round visual interest.
This species of dogwood is relatively adaptable, thriving in most average garden settings, making it a low-maintenance staple for larger plantings. While it produces small, creamy white flowers in late spring, its primary ornamental draw remains its colorful young wood, closely followed by summer fruits attractive to local bird populations.
Gardeners often select Tatarian dogwood for functional purposes, such as forming dense property line screens or informal hedges. The vigor of this shrub ensures quick coverage, but management through pruning is key to maintaining the brightest stem coloration seen on the newest growth.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Cornaceae
- Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 3-7
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 4-7 ft
- Spread: 3-5 ft
- Bloom Time: May to June
- Bloom Description: Yellowish-white
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Plant Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’ during the dormant season—either early spring before bud break or in the fall—to encourage establishment before summer stress. This Tatarian dogwood cultivar is highly tolerant, preferring organically rich, consistently moist, fertile, well-drained soils. However, it adapts well to a wide range of soil conditions, tolerating both drier spells once established and occasional standing water, making it suitable for rain gardens.
Watering should be medium; deep, infrequent watering during dry spells is better than constant shallow watering once mature. Fertilization is generally unnecessary if grown in fertile soil. The most crucial cultural requirement involves managing the dense, suckering growth habit if you wish to prevent aggressive spreading; trim roots with a spade and remove root suckers promptly.
Pruning is employed primarily for aesthetics to ensure the vibrant stem color persists. While not strictly required, annual removal of 20-25% of the oldest stems in early spring stimulates the growth of fresh, brightly colored young wood. Alternatively, gardeners can coppice the entire shrub down to 8 inches every 2-3 years for a full renewal, though this sacrifices flowers that season. Avoid heavy pruning south of USDA Zone 7, as stressed plants are more vulnerable to canker in hot summers.
Landscape Uses
The strong vertical presence and exceptional winter color of Tatarian dogwood make it an excellent choice for mass plantings where structure is needed throughout the year. It excels when grouped or massed in naturalistic settings, particularly in moist soils where its tendency to sucker helps form dense, impenetrable thickets ideal for privacy screens or property line demarcation. For hedges, Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’ responds well to shaping, though hard shearing should be balanced against the need for colorful new growth.
For dramatic design impact, strategically place this shrub where its brilliant red stems can be viewed against a contrasting backdrop, such as dark green evergreen hedges or walls covered in pale stone. Its tolerance for erosion also makes it valuable on slopes or in rain garden designs where moisture levels fluctuate.
Consider companions that offer contrasting fall foliage or different winter stem colors, such as yellow-stemmed dogwoods, to create a dynamic four-season display. These shrubs function superbly in the shrub border, providing essential mid-level structure to anchor taller trees and shorter perennials.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Fruit Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’ is renowned for its brilliant red winter stems, which are most ornamental on sunny, snow-covered days. This rapid-growing shrub produces small, yellowish-white flowers followed by bluish-white berries attractive to birds. The colorful red winter stems gradually darken as spring approaches, emphasizing the need for maintenance pruning to encourage the brightest new growth.
Tolerances
- Rabbit
- Deer
- Erosion
Potential Problems
Tatarian dogwood can be susceptible to several fungal issues, including leaf spot, twig and leaf blights, and canker, especially if stressed by heat or poor air circulation. Control these diseases by ensuring proper pruning techniques are used to promote airflow and by avoiding irrigation that wets the foliage late in the day. Occasionally, insect pests like scale, leaf miners, and borers can pose a threat; inspect stems and foliage regularly, treating scale with dormant oils if necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Tatarian dogwood suitable for?
This robust shrub thrives across USDA Zones 3 through 7, offering reliable performance across a vast geographical area.
How large does Tatarian dogwood grow?
The mature size for Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’ is typically between 4 and 7 feet in height, with a spread ranging from 3 to 5 feet wide.
What sun exposure does Tatarian dogwood need?
For the best performance and most vibrant winter color, Red-twig dogwood requires full sun, though it will tolerate partial shade.
When does Tatarian dogwood bloom?
The flowering period for this cultivar is generally in late spring, spanning from May into June, producing clusters of yellowish-white flowers.
Conclusion
The incredible, non-fading red stem color displayed by Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’ throughout the winter months establishes it as a premier structural plant in the landscape. Its low maintenance needs combined with its suitability for hedges and screens make the Tatarian dogwood a year-round asset. Before planting, verify that your area falls within USDA Zones 3-7 and plan for your annual spring pruning to maximize that signature winter red.
Companion Planting
To enhance the winter scene provided by Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’, select companions that offer contrasting stem colors, such as the yellow stems of Cornus sericea ‘Midwinter Fire’ or the dark purple stems of certain willows. Plant lower-growing, evergreen groundcovers beneath the dogwood canopy; these greens provide a perfect stage for the red stems during winter dormancy. In the summer, pair this shrub with plants that appreciate consistent moisture, like Astilbe or various ornamental grasses, ensuring the overall planting area remains moist as preferred by the dogwood.
Seasonal Care Calendar
Late Winter/Early Spring (Before Bud Break): This is the critical time for renewal pruning. Remove 20-25% of the oldest, thickest stems to encourage new growth, which carries the brightest red pigment. Alternatively, perform a hard coppice cut if a full renewal is desired.
Mid-Spring to Early Summer: Monitor for the creamy white flower clusters, though enjoy them briefly as pruning is prioritized later. If located in warmer climes (Zone 7 edge), watch for signs of stress like leaf browning, which indicates pruning may need to be lighter.
Late Summer/Fall: Allow leaves to transition naturally before they drop, revealing the underlying stem color. Address any unwanted root suckers immediately to control spread.
Winter: Enjoy the brilliant display of the new wood. This is the best time to assess which older stems should be selected for removal during the next dormant season prune.
