Cornus Alba Ivory Halo Variegated Dogwood

Cornus Alba Ivory Halo is a small deciduous flowering dogwood with red stems, variegated foliage and the RHS AGM. It’s a good choice for woodland gardens, large mixed borders and autumn and winter colour.

Cornus is a genus of creeping shrubs or flowering trees. It’s found on most continents. Cornus Alba is the Red-Barked Dogwood native to Eastern Asia from Siberia to Manchuria. There are many varieties of dogwood in the UK, but Ivory Halo is loved for its variegated foliage that emerges green and cream in early spring. Foliage is followed by clusters of small white flowers that attract so many pollinators the RHS have also awarded it the Perfect for Pollinators badge. If pollinated, its flowers mature into blue-purple fruits for the birds in autumn. As the frosts arrive its foliage turns vivid red and falls to reveal bright red stems in winter.

This is a lovely small multi-stemmed tree. It’s perfect for pollinators and brings a hit of cheerful winter colour. Synonymous with Cornus Alba Bailhalo.

Height And Spread of Cornus Alba Ivory Halo
Red-Barked Dogwood Ivory Halo is fast growing and reaches a height of 2.5 metres and spreads across 1.5 metres in 2 -5 years.

How Hardy Is Cornus Alba Ivory Halo
This variegated dogwood is native to the cold regions of Siberia, so it copes well with freezing UK winters if its roots are well drained. It tolerates drought once established and is rarely affected by pests and disease.

How To Use Cornus Alba Ivory Halo
Red-Barked Dogwood Ivory Halo suits a woodland garden, low maintenance spaces, and creates a vibrant dividing hedge for all seasons of the year.
It’s also a great source of nectar for pollinators in a wildlife-friendly space.

How To Care For Cornus Alba Ivory Halo
Variegated dogwood will grow in most well-drained soil conditions. Ivory Halo prefers full sun to partial shade and is tough enough to cope with exposed sites.
You don’t have to prune dogwood, but because new growth provides the most colourful stems pruning is recommended.
Wait for several years before hard pruning new plants. Then cut them back to a metre for pollards or 7 centimetres from the ground for coppiced plants. The best time to cut back dogwood is in spring, just as the new growth is appearing. Cut the stems back to the same height each year for the most vibrant winter stems.
After pruning, a thick layer of organic mulch is recommended to boost growth and production. Remember to water new plants well until they’re established.