This is the journal of my endeavours to grow a range of fruit, veg and flowers from seed, grow organically, and my attempts to create a personal paradise with 1/2 acre of maintained gardens and 1/2 acre wild meadows. Northern Ireland's average daily high temperatures are 18 °C (64 °F) in July and 6 °C (43 °F) in January. Soil type: Clay

Thursday, 11 April 2013

Dogwood Trim

It's time to cut back the dogwood. Everyone from Monty on the popular UK Gardener's World to Mark's Veg Plot has been trimming back the dogwood.
The red stems of the dogwood shrub are really what makes it an attractive plant. It seems to be that the cutting back of the stems is what creates the vibrant red colour, which stays red and fiery over Winter. 

 But... unfortunately the red stems have to go ( I never look forward to the dogwood chop).
Secateurs in hand I chop and chop, and get the end result below. Looks like a bad haircut  but it won't be long until the shrub puts on growth again and is full of leaves. A rather 'normal' shrub over Summer, in Autumn its green leaves will turn red, drop and show the red stems again. 

Copyright: All words and photos are property of Kelli's Northern Ireland Garden.
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9 comments:

  1. Sue Garrett11 April 2013 at 01:27

    I don't look forward to chopping buddleais - not because I have to chop out attractive stems - it just seems such a long job now the shrubs are fairly mature.

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  2. Jo@awholeplotoflove11 April 2013 at 02:04

    I have some on my planting list for the font garden, they do look very colorful.

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  3. Mark Willis11 April 2013 at 07:20

    My favourite! Why don't you take the trimmed stems indoors and put them in a vase? They would look nice in amongst some Irises.

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  4. elaine 11 April 2013 at 10:55

    I don't have a dogwood any more - I think I shall have to invest in a new plant as they really are very attractive.

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  5. Jo11 April 2013 at 13:14

    The red stems are stunning, definitely a plant for winter interest.

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  6. Egretta Wells blog11 April 2013 at 13:52

    good idea from Mark...wonder if they stay red and dry out and one could use them in arrangements in the home? The bottom photo reminds me of an abstract painting. It is really quite pretty. I see that Saturday weather will be warmer with mixed sun and rain...sounds good.

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  7. ann11 April 2013 at 18:12

    Pruning is always such a chore. I pruned roses Saturday. It will be nice to see new growth, won't it?

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  8. Paula @ Blooms 'n' Spades12 April 2013 at 00:07

    The red stems are stunning aren't they. Pruning isn't one of my favourite jobs, but I guess the plants reward us for their haircut :-)

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  9. Malay-Kadazan girl13 April 2013 at 11:57

    Can the stems be dried and last as an ornamental for a long time?

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