Plant Encyclopedia

Description:

A very hardy shrub dogwood, prized for its darker red stems which contrast wonderfully against the winter snow; compact habit of growth; creamy white blooms in spring are striking against the dark purple emerging foliage

Ornamental Features

Kesselring Dogwood has clusters of creamy white flowers at the ends of the branches in late spring. It has dark green deciduous foliage which emerges deep purple in spring. The pointy leaves turn an outstanding brick red in the fall. It produces white berries in mid summer. The dark red branches are extremely showy and add significant winter interest.

Landscape Attributes

Kesselring Dogwood is a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with a more or less rounded form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and can be pruned at anytime. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Kesselring Dogwood is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Hedges/Screening
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Kesselring Dogwood will grow to be about 6 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 6 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 20 years.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It is an amazingly adaptable plant, tolerating both dry conditions and even some standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.