Red Twig Dogwood Hedge Growing Instructions

Plant Selection

• There are many varieties of dogwood you can choose. They vary in height, width, stem color, foliage color and disease resistance. Some have variegated foliage that adds extra interest during the growing season. Some popular varieties of dogwood that are suitable for a hedge include Cornus alba "Ivory Halo," Cornus alba "Sibirica," Cornus sericea "Cardinal," Cornus sericea "Isanti" and Cornus sanguinea "Winter Flame." One variety that is still common in the marketplace but is not recommended is "Elegantissima." Newer varieties offer much better form and color.

Site Conditions

• To get the brightest winter stem color choose a location that receives six or more hours of sunlight per day. The shrub will grow satisfactorily in less sun, but more sun produces the best winter stem color. Dogwoods like moist, rich soil with plenty of organic matter. It will tolerate average soil but will struggle in dry conditions. In the latter case, supplemental watering will be necessary for the first few years until the shrubs are established.

Spacing and Quantity

• Calculating the correct spacing is very important. Dogwoods grow quickly and wide. Widths vary from 5 to 10 feet, depending on the variety. For shrub spacing, take half of the expected mature width of the plant. That is the distance that the center of a given plant should be to the center of the next plant. For example, if you wanted to plant a 40-foot hedge and you chose a dogwood that grows 8 feet wide, you would plant them 4 feet apart and you would need 10 plants. Depending on the size of the plant you purchase and the variety (some varieties grow quicker than others do), they should start appearing as a solid mass in two to four years.

Planting

• To ensure you plant all the plants in a straight line, tie a string between two stakes the length of the hedge. Set each stake the same distance from a nearby reference point. Mark the string at all the points where a plant will go after you have measured the desired distances on the string. Place all the plants in their intended locations before actually digging holes to be sure the spacing is correct. Improve the soil if needed by adding about one-third compost to the backfill soil. Plant as usual and water thoroughly to settle the soil. Add 2 to 3 inches of mulch around the planting site.

Maintenance

• No pruning is needed the first few years unless you want to trim them for a formal appearance. You can trim them to conform to a desired size or shape, but for a dogwood hedge, it is preferable to let them grow in their natural form. As the hedge matures, you should remove older stems that have lost their stem color. In early spring, cut them out completely to the base of the plant. Remove up to a third of the stems each year. New stems will grow, which will have the best winter color. The plants will benefit from supplemental irrigation the first year and during periods of drought.