Cornus Alba Elegentissma
Variegated tartarian dogwood
Cornus alba ‘Elegantissima’ — also known as Variegated Red-Twig Dogwood — is a classic, vigorous selection valued for its silvery-white–margined foliage and bright red winter stems. One of the most widely planted variegated dogwoods, it delivers dependable multi-season interest and strong landscape performance.
🌿 Plant Profile
Type: Deciduous shrub
Mature Size:
Height: ≈ 8–10 ft
Width: ≈ 8–10 ft
Foliage:
Blue-green leaves edged with creamy white to silvery margins
Bright, cooling contrast throughout the growing season
Winter Stems:
Bold red to coral-red stems in winter
Best color on young, vigorous growth
Blooms:
Small, creamy-white flowers in late spring (not showy)
Fall Color:
Foliage often turns pink, red, or purplish tones before dropping
USDA Zones: 3a–7b
Light: Full sun to partial shade (strongest color in full sun)
Soil: Moist, well-drained soils; highly adaptable, including clay
Water: Moderate; tolerates wet sites once established
🌸 Features & Landscape Uses
Form: Upright, spreading, multi-stemmed shrub
Excellent for screens, hedges, mixed shrub borders, and mass plantings
Variegated foliage brightens shaded areas and contrasts with dark evergreens
Red winter stems provide strong structure and seasonal interest
Effective in rain gardens and low areas with seasonal moisture
🍃 Care Tips
Pruning: Remove ¼–⅓ of the oldest stems at ground level each late winter to maintain vivid stem color
Water: Keep evenly moist during establishment
Maintenance: Very cold hardy, tough, and forgiving
- Plant type
- Flowering Shrub
- Height
- 10'
- Width
- 10'
- Hardiness zones
- 3–7
- Sunlight
- Full Sun, Partial Shade
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Bloom time
- Spring
- Flower color
- White
- Fall color
- Yellow
- Soil
- Clay, Moist well-drained
- Landscape use
- Foundation Plant, Hedge, Mass Planting
- Shape
- Spreading, Upright
- Fragrant
- Yes
- Deer resistant
- Yes
- Drought tolerant
- No
