Siberian Dogwood

How to grow Siberian Dogwood

Written by the GardenDecoded editorial team · Last reviewed 21 July 2026 · Written for UK gardens · How we research our guidance

Planting

Plant bare-root in winter or container-grown in autumn or spring. Damp ground beside a pond or in a low part of the garden suits it, and it is one of the more reliable shrubs on clay. Plant in groups of three or five - the winter stems only read well in quantity.

Pruning

Cut all stems back to a low stump about 15-30 cm above ground in March. The bright colour is only on one-year-old wood, so this hard annual cut is the whole point of the plant. On young plants, wait until the third year before starting; alternatively cut half the stems each year to keep some height.

Propagation

Hardwood cuttings taken in late autumn root very easily pushed straight into open ground. Layering also works, and it self-layers where stems touch soil.

Pests and diseases

Generally trouble-free. Dogwood anthracnose is not a significant issue on this species in the UK.

Value to wildlife

Flowers give nectar in early summer, white berries are taken by birds, and the thicket provides cover. Good in a wildlife hedge or damp corner.

Notes

It suckers and spreads sideways, so give it room or be prepared to chop the edges off each year. Feeding and mulching after the spring cut produces stronger, better-coloured new stems.

This guidance was researched and written by GardenDecoded — see our editorial policy for how guides are checked and reviewed.

Other names for this plant

These names have all been used for Cornus alba but are no longer the accepted name. You may still meet them on old labels, in books, or in nursery catalogues.

Others in Cornus