Tatarian dogwood (Cornus alba 'Spaethii')
Variegated foliage and bright red winter stems define Cornus alba 'Spaethii', a low-maintenance Tatarian dogwood perfect for screens.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Cornus alba ‘Spaethii’, widely known as Tatarian dogwood, is a highly valued, rapid-growing, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub prized for its year-round visual interest. This cultivar stands out due to its distinctive medium/dark green leaves edged with bright yellow variegation, offering excellent contrast in the landscape. Beyond the foliage, established specimens of Cornus alba ‘Spaethii’ provide spectacular structure when the leaves drop, revealing exceptionally bright red twigs that dominate the winter scene.
This robust shrub thrives in full sun to partial shade, establishing itself quickly across USDA Zones 3 through 7. While it is a fast grower, its typical mature size remains manageable at 4 to 6 feet both in height and spread, making it useful for defined plantings or massed areas. The Tatarian dogwood contributes significant ecological value through its airy, yellowish-white spring flowers, followed by attractive white berries favored by birds.
Functionally, Cornus alba ‘Spaethii’ is a low-maintenance selection that performs well where other plants might struggle, including rain gardens or areas needing erosion control. Its ability to tolerate various soil conditions, coupled with its striking coloration, ensures that this Tatarian dogwood variety remains a garden workhorse from spring bloom through deep winter.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Cornaceae
- Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 3-7
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 4-6 ft
- Spread: 4-6 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
For optimal growth and the most vibrant stem color, plant Cornus alba ‘Spaethii’ where it receives full sun, although it will tolerate light afternoon shade. The shrub prefers organically rich, fertile, and consistently moist soils that are well-drained. This Tatarian dogwood is quite adaptable once established, tolerating some dry spells as well as occasional standing water, which is beneficial for rain garden applications.
Maintenance for the Cornus alba ‘Spaethii’ cultivar centers around encouraging new wood, as the youngest stems display the best red color in winter. While pruning is not mandatory, removing 20-25% of the oldest stems each early spring stimulates replacement growth. Alternatively, for a complete renewal, you can coppice all stems close to the ground (to about 8 inches) every two to three years in early spring.
Be mindful that aggressive spread can occur via suckers; if you prefer a more contained planting, trim the roots with a spade and promptly remove any emerging root suckers. Gardeners should note that plants situated in hotter climates south of USDA Zone 7 may become stressed, increasing their vulnerability to diseases like canker.
Landscape Uses
The variegated foliage and vibrant winter stems of the Tatarian dogwood make Cornus alba ‘Spaethii’ an invaluable structural plant in the perennial or shrub border. This shrub excels when planted en masse or grouped together to form effective property line screens where height between 4 and 6 feet is desired. Its tolerance for moisture makes it an excellent candidate for naturalistic plantings in rain gardens or along pond edges where plants can spread freely to form thickets.
When planning the display, use the outstanding ornamental features of Cornus alba ‘Spaethii’ as an accent, ensuring the stems are visible from a window or walkway during winter months. For an intensified winter effect, pair this cultivar with dogwoods that have contrasting stem colors, such as yellow-twig dogwoods like Cornus sericea ‘Flaviramea’. This combination ensures reliable, multi-hued structural interest long after deciduous perennials fade.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Fruit Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Cornus alba, commonly called tatarian dogwood, is a rapid-growing, multi-stemmed, suckering, deciduous shrub that is native to eastern and central Asia. ‘Spaethii’ is a tatarian dogwood cultivar that is noted for its variegated (yellow and pink margins) leaves and its bright red twigs in winter. The outstanding ornamental features of this cultivar are its bright red winter stems, which are particularly showy against a snowy backdrop, and its ovate to elliptic, medium/dark green leaves edged with yellow.
Tolerances
- Rabbit
- Deer
- Erosion
Potential Problems
Tatarian dogwood, including the Cornus alba ‘Spaethii’ cultivar, is generally vigorous but can face cosmetic and structural issues. It is susceptible to common fungal problems such as leaf spot, twig blights, and canker, particularly if air circulation is poor or the plant becomes stressed, especially in hot southern climates. Occasionally, insect pests like scale, leaf miners, and borers may pose a problem that requires monitoring. Ensure proper spacing and maintain pruning schedules to promote healthy airflow and remove diseased wood promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Tatarian dogwood suitable for?
Cornus alba ‘Spaethii’ is reliably hardy in USDA Zones 3 through 7, offering excellent cold tolerance for many northern regions transitioning into early spring.
How large does Tatarian dogwood grow?
The mature size for this cultivar is typically between 4 and 6 feet tall, with an equivalent spread of 4 to 6 feet, making it a medium-sized structural shrub.
What sun exposure does Cornus alba ‘Spaethii’ need?
This dogwood performs best when situated in an area receiving full sun, though it tolerates partial shade, resulting in slightly less brilliant foliage color in shadier spots.
When does Tatarian dogwood bloom?
Bloom time for the yellowish-white flowers usually occurs in late spring, spanning from May through June, sometimes offering sparse repeat blooms into early summer.
Conclusion
The combination of variegated foliage throughout the growing season and brilliant red stems in winter makes Cornus alba ‘Spaethii’ an excellent, low-maintenance choice for year-round garden structure. This reliable Tatarian dogwood offers functional benefits like erosion control and wildlife appeal, alongside high aesthetic value. Ensure you select a site with appropriate sun exposure and plan for routine spring pruning to maximize those coveted winter colors.
Companion Planting
Selecting the right neighbors enhances the landscape impact of Cornus alba ‘Spaethii’. Because this dogwood appreciates consistent moisture, pair it with other plants suitable for rain gardens or moist borders, such as Astilbe, various ornamental grasses, or moisture-loving perennials like Joe Pye Weed or Rudbeckia. Avoid planting sensitive, shallow-rooted plants directly beneath the shrub where competition for water and nutrients might occur.
Wildlife Benefits
The flowers of the Tatarian dogwood, though small, are attractive to generalist pollinators during the late spring bloom in May and June. More significantly, this shrub provides crucial late-season sustenance for avian populations. The clusters of white berries that follow the flowers in mid-summer are highly desirable to numerous bird species, substantially boosting the ecological value of your property into the autumn months.
