Variegated Tatarian Dogwood 'Elegantissima'

Cornus alba 'Elegantissima' is a deciduous shrub grown for two distinct assets: vivid red stems that stand out against snow in winter, and gray-green leaves edged in irregular creamy white that hold reliably through summer. It delivers genuine multi-season interest and is far more cold-hardy than most variegated shrubs, performing well into zone 3a.

Young stems carry the deepest red; hard renewal pruning every one to three years — cutting all stems to 6–12 inches above ground in late winter — forces vigorous regrowth that will produce the richest color the following winter. Without this, the plant becomes leggy and stem color fades to dull orange-brown. Cornus alba tolerates wet, poorly drained soils and is a dependable choice for rain gardens, streambanks, or low-lying areas subject to seasonal flooding. It spreads by suckering and can colonize substantial ground if suckers are not removed at the root collar. Mulching helps maintain soil moisture and suppress competing weeds during establishment.

Pale blue-white berries ripen in late summer and are taken quickly by songbirds. Foliage often shifts to red-purple tints before leaf drop, extending the seasonal display into autumn.