The first week of March and it was time for me to chop the Cornus Dogwoods down to size. The red stems that have shown up so well during winter will never be the same again if left on the shrub so they are ‘out for the chop’.

Pruning Cornus

• Cut all the upright stems down to within 3 – 4 inches of the ground.
• Water well and mulch the stump with good compost or manure to encourage new growth. Dogwoods like water!
• New stems will grow, show leaf, flower and be ready for another winter display come Autumn.
• Some pencil thick stems, 6 inch long, can be used as cuttings for growing new plants.
• Check around the stool of the plant as you may have several new plants available from the layering of the old stems – any with roots can be severed from the main plant and relocated.

There are many other interesting Cornus trees and shrubs or new Cornus Alba Sibirica plants can be bought via Amazon
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