Oxford Pruning Company

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Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’ – plant of the month

Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Beauty’, a burst of colour against the bruised maroon-blues of Cotinus coggrygia

Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’ or ‘Winter Beauty’ adds a fabulous shot of colour to a winter garden. Its electrifying coral stems work best when planted en masse. Think carefully about the background: it can look particularly striking against a charcoal grey shed or shocking white snow, but might be lost amongst the muddy mid browns of a burlap fence.

Pruning Cornus is normally undertaken in March when up to a third of the older stems can be removed at the base to encourage new growth of the younger, more colourful canes. ‘Midwinter Fire’ is a slower and more compact version, and only needs to be pruned every two to three years.