Cornus stolonifera Flava 3 litre pot

Cornus stolonifera ‘Flaviramea’, frequently referred to as the Yellow Twig Dogwood, is a medium-sized deciduous shrub noted for its brilliant, lime-yellow stems that are particularly showy in winter. It typically grows 2–2.5 meters (6–8 feet) tall and wide, producing oval, mid-green leaves that turn shades of yellow and orange in the fall. Flat clusters of tiny white flowers bloom in late spring, followed by small white berries that may attract birds.

Soil type

• Preferred soil: Moist, fertile, and well-drained; tolerates a wide range of soil types including clay if drainage is adequate.
• pH range: Ideally around neutral (6.0–7.0), but can adapt to slightly acidic or alkaline conditions.
• Moisture: Performs best in consistently damp soil; mulching can help retain moisture.

Location

• Light: Prefers full sun to achieve the best winter stem color; partial shade is tolerated but may diminish vibrancy.
• Hardiness: Suited for cold climates (hardy to USDA Zones 3–7 or similar).
• Uses: Excellent for winter interest in borders or mass plantings; can also be used to stabilize slopes due to its suckering habit.

Pest and disease problems

• Leaf Spot / Blight: Can occur in overly wet conditions. Ensure good airflow and remove affected foliage.
• Scale: Check stems regularly; treat early if detected using horticultural oil or insecticidal soap.
• Borers: Occasionally an issue; keep plants healthy and stress-free to reduce risk.
• Generally Hardy: With adequate moisture and sunlight, ‘Flaviramea’ remains largely pest-free.

Propagation

• Hardwood cuttings: The most common and straightforward method. Take cuttings during dormancy and root in a suitable medium.
• Layering: Can happen naturally due to the shrub’s stoloniferous habit.
• Suckering: New shoots around the base can sometimes be separated if they have their own roots.

Pruning, cutting back and dividing

• Pruning:
  • Remove a portion of older stems each year in late winter or early spring to stimulate fresh, yellow canes.
  • If vigorous growth is desired for bright stems, coppice (cut back hard) each spring.
• Cutting back: Hard pruning encourages new growth but may limit flowering and berry formation that season.
• Dividing: Typically, you won’t divide this shrub like perennials; however, suckers can be separated carefully if you want to propagate new plants.

Mixing Cornus stems

Each of these Cornus varieties—C. alba ‘Elegantissima’, C. stolonifera ‘Flaviramea’, and C. sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’—delivers distinctive winter stem color, adding off-season interest to the garden. They are generally easy to grow in moist, well-drained soils and appreciate annual pruning of older stems to maintain their vibrant display. Use them in borders, mass plantings, or as accent shrubs where their brightly colored canes can stand out against a winter landscape