Variegated Tatarian Dogwood (Cornus alba 'Elegantissima') | Red Twig Dogwood

Variegated Tatarian Dogwood

5 Gallon

$62.00

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Variegated Tatarian Dogwood

Cornus alba 'Elegantissima'

A fast-growing shrub with brilliant red winter stems, variegated white-and-green foliage, and white spring flowers.

$62.00

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Bay Area–Based Nursery

We specialize in plants grown and delivered in their original pots and soil.
Because of their size and weight, our plants are not suitable for long-distance shipping and are delivered locally to ensure health and quality.

While delivery is limited to our local service area, we’re happy to support garden design and plant selection remotely.

For local plant professionals, we’re always glad to connect and explore ways to support your customers.

Cornus alba 'Elegantissima' (syn. 'Argenteomarginata') is a striking, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub prized for its brilliant red winter stems, variegated foliage, and compact, upright habit. This vigorous grower features oval, grayish-green leaves with broad, irregular, creamy-white margins that provide season-long interest. In late spring, small, flat-topped clusters of creamy-white flowers appear, attracting bees and butterflies. The flowers give way to small, white to blue-tinged berries in summer that are attractive to birds. In autumn, the foliage takes on pinkish to reddish-purple tones before dropping, revealing the shrub's most dramatic feature: the bare, bright coral-red stems that glow in the winter landscape. With excellent tolerance for moist soils, deer resistance, and its vibrant winter color, it is an outstanding choice for woodland gardens, shrub borders, mass plantings, and erosion control along streams and ponds.

Knowing how we measure the size?

When browsing our plants, you may notice size terms such as Gallon, Multi, or Stand. These describe how a plant is grown, containerized, or structured at the time of sale — not just its height. Understanding these terms will help you choose the right plant for your space and expectations.

🌱 Gallon Size (Container Size)

Gallon refers to the size of the nursery container the plant is currently growing in (e.g. 1 Gallon, 5 Gallon, 15 Gallon).

A larger gallon size generally means:
- A more established root system
- A sturdier plant
- Faster visual impact after planting
Example:
- 5 Gallon: Ideal for residential gardens, easy to handle, good balance of value and maturity
- 15 Gallon: More mature, provides quicker results in the landscape

Note: Gallon size does not guarantee a specific height, as growth varies by species.

🌳 Multi (Multi-Trunk / Multi-Branch Form)

Multi indicates the plant has multiple trunks or main stems growing from the base.

Commonly used for:
- Ornamental trees
- Feature plants
- Japanese maples, olives, crepe myrtles, etc.
Why choose Multi:
- Fuller, more sculptural appearance
- Strong visual presence even at younger ages
- Popular for design-focused landscapes

🌲 Stand (Single-Trunk / Standard Form)

Stand (short for Standard) refers to a single, dominant trunk with a raised or naturally formed canopy.

Commonly used for:
- Shade trees
- Street trees
- Orchard and structural plantings
Why choose Stand:
- Clean, classic tree form
- Easier clearance for walkways and lawns
- Preferred for long-term structure and uniformity

🌿 Choosing the Right Size

If you want instant impact → larger Gallon, Multi form
If you want long-term structure → Stand form
If you want flexibility and value → mid-size Gallon containers

If you’re unsure which size or form fits your project, our team is happy to help you select the best option based on your space, timeline, and design goals.

Foliage & Flowers: Oval, grayish-green leaves with broad, irregular, creamy-white margins; small, flat-topped clusters of creamy-white flowers in late spring; small white to blue-tinged berries in summer; bright coral-red stems in winter .
Mature Height: 8-10 ft
Mature Spread: 8-10 ft
Growth Rate: Fast
Hardiness Zones: USDA 2-8 ; Sunset A2-A3, 1-9, 14-24
Light Requirement: Full sun to partial shade (best stem color in full sun)
Core Benefits: Brilliant red winter stems, striking variegated foliage, white spring flowers and berries, fast-growing, deer resistant, tolerates wet soils.
Best Uses: Woodland gardens, shrub borders, mass plantings, erosion control, rain gardens, winter interest gardens, cut stems.

Q: How large does Variegated Tatarian Dogwood get?
A: It is a vigorous, multi-stemmed shrub, typically reaching 8-10 feet in both height and spread. It can be pruned to maintain a smaller size.

Q: What makes this shrub special in winter?
A: Its bare, bright coral-red stems provide stunning winter color when most other plants are dormant. For the best stem color, prune out about one-third of the oldest stems each spring.

Q: How much sun does it need for the best stem color?
A: For the most vibrant red winter stems and best variegation, plant in full sun . It will tolerate partial shade, but stem color and variegation will be less intense.

Q: Does it tolerate wet soil?
A: Yes, it is an excellent choice for rain gardens, stream banks, and other moist areas. It tolerates wet soils better than many other shrubs .

Q: Does it attract wildlife?
A: Yes, the spring flowers attract bees and butterflies, and the summer berries are a food source for birds .

Q: How should I prune it to maintain the red stems?
A: Prune in late winter or early spring . Remove about one-third of the oldest stems down to the ground each year. This encourages the growth of new, bright red stems .