Tatarian dogwood (Cornus alba 'Regnzam' RED GNOME)

Overview

The Cornus alba ‘Regnzam’ RED GNOME, commonly known as Tatarian dogwood, is a prized cultivar valued for its compact habit and vivid winter stem coloration. This shrub provides four-season interest, transitioning from creamy white spring flowers to ornamental white fruit, excellent summer foliage, and brilliant red stems that light up the winter landscape. It is a hardy, fast-growing deciduous shrub well-suited for gardeners seeking year-round structural color with minimal effort.

This specific variety maintains a manageable, rounded mound shape, typically reaching only 3 to 4 feet tall and wide, making it much less aggressive than some of its cousins. As Tatarian dogwood, it establishes quickly, offering excellent coverage for screens or mass plantings. Gardeners will appreciate the low maintenance required to keep this shrub thriving across USDA Zones 3 through 7.

The ornamental value of Cornus alba ‘Regnzam’ RED GNOME is realized when it is sited where the bright red stems are visible against snow or evergreen backdrops. It offers functional habitat benefits while providing superb aesthetic contrast, fulfilling roles in hedges or more naturalistic settings.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Cornaceae
• Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 3-7
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 3-4 ft
  • Spread: 3-4 ft
• Bloom Time: May to June
• Bloom Description: Creamy white
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
• Water Needs: Medium
• Maintenance Level: Low

How to Grow

Plant Cornus alba ‘Regnzam’ RED GNOME in its ideal location during the dormant season (late fall or very early spring) for best establishment. This shrub thrives in organically rich, consistently moist, fertile, and well-drained soils. While it prefers full sun for the best stem color and compact growth, it tolerates partial shade, though foliage color may be slightly greener.

Water established shrubs moderately; while they appreciate consistent moisture, established Tatarian dogwood exhibits tolerance for both occasional dry spells and standing water, making it versatile for rain gardens. Fertilization is rarely necessary if the soil is well-amended initially. Control colonial spread by promptly removing root suckers with a spade if a compact, individual shape is required.

Pruning is key to maximizing the ornamental stem color for the RED GNOME cultivar. The most vibrant red occurs on two- to three-year-old wood. To encourage this new growth, gardeners should remove 20-25% of the oldest stems annually in early spring. Alternatively, heavy renewal pruning (coppicing all stems down to about 8 inches) every two to three years achieves the same renewal effect. Avoid pruning near flowering time, as this eliminates flowers, though their small, creamy white clusters are typically not considered highly ornamental.

Landscape Uses

The moderate size and brilliant winter color of Cornus alba ‘Regnzam’ RED GNOME make it an outstanding choice for structured plantings. Use this versatile Tatarian dogwood to create property line screens or uniform, low hedges where its defined form can be appreciated. Mass plantings or grouping several shrubs together create a spectacular block of red color that draws the eye during the bleak winter months.

For naturalistic settings, allow the dogwood to spread slightly in moist soil areas, forming a dense, low thicket that provides cover. In shrub borders, use the rich red stems as a striking accent feature, especially when juxtaposed beside shrubs offering contrasting bark color, such as those with yellow or orange winter stems. Its tolerance for erosion also makes it suitable for stabilizing banks or moist perimeter plantings.

Standout Features

Flower Qualities

• Showy
• Good Cut

Fruit Qualities

• Showy

Noteworthy Characteristics

Tatarian dogwood is a rapid-growing, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub whose specific cultivar, ‘Regnzam’ (RED GNOME), matures to a compact, rounded mound around 4 feet tall. It produces creamy white flowers mid-to-late spring, followed by white berries attractive to birds in mid-summer. The defining feature is the bright red stems, which provide exceptional visual interest against a cold, snowy backdrop after the leaves drop.

Tolerances

• Rabbit
• Deer
• Erosion

Potential Problems

This dogwood can be susceptible to several fungal issues, including leaf spot, twig blights, and canker, particularly when plants become stressed, which is common in hot, humid climates south of USDA Zone 7. Good air circulation, often aided by selective spring pruning (removing older, crowded canes), helps mitigate fungal risk. Watch occasionally for common insect pests like scale, leaf miners, and borers. Proactive monitoring and ensuring ideal growing conditions—rich, well-drained soil—are the best defense against most potential problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Cornus alba ‘Regnzam’ RED GNOME suitable for?

This compact Tatarian dogwood thrives across a wide range, suitable for USDA Zones 3 through 7.

How large does Cornus alba ‘Regnzam’ RED GNOME grow?

This cultivar is relatively compact, typically reaching a height and spread of 3 to 4 feet at maturity.

What sun exposure does Cornus alba ‘Regnzam’ RED GNOME need?

For the best performance, especially for maximizing the bright red winter stem color, full sun exposure is recommended, though it will tolerate part shade.

When does Tatarian dogwood bloom?

The creamy white flowers appear from May into June, sometimes offering sparse rebloom into early summer.

Conclusion

The Cornus alba ‘Regnzam’ RED GNOME offers gardeners an easy-to-manage shrub that consistently delivers vibrant winter interest via its brilliant red stems. Whether used for hedging or as a standout accent, this Tatarian dogwood provides excellent texture and color across all four seasons. Before planting, ensure your site receives adequate moisture and verify that your location falls within USDA Zones 3-7 for optimal winter stem display.

Companion Planting

When planning groupings around your Cornus alba ‘Regnzam’ RED GNOME, consider contrasting textures and colors for maximum effect, especially in winter. Consider planting near shrubs with stems of yellow or orange for a dramatic bicolor accent, such as varieties of Cornus sericea (Red-twig dogwood) that display gold stems. For summer interest, pair it with evergreens or plants that offer late-season flowers, as the dogwood’s bloom time is relatively early.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Spring is the critical time for pruning the RED GNOME variety; remove up to 25% of the oldest stems at branch base when dormant or just as buds begin to swell to promote vivid new growth. In summer, maintain consistent moisture, especially during dry spells, though the established shrub is quite adaptable. Winter is when this dogwood truly shines; protect the stems from winter burn if necessary in extremely exposed sites, although its hardiness in Zones 3-7 usually prevents major issues.