Dogwoods have lots to offer, from winter stems to tl:CORNUS: summer flowers, says garden writer Sarah Morgan

摘要

Cornus, or dogwoods, are an enticing group of plants that are so varied they don't look like they belong in the same genus. There are many cultivars that make wonderful small trees, and others that work well as groundcover. They're also widely grown for their winter stem colour, created by regularly cutting back hard. These are very cheap to buy during the bareroot season, so they're always popular in car parks, sadly often planted in uninspiring blocks.The ones designers most covet, however, have conspicuous floral bracts, with white or pink blooms. Although most Cornus are both easy to grow and quick to establish, succeeding with them is more complicated, which may be why they are associated with large public gardens.