Cornus florida ('Alba Plena') 'PLURIBRACTEATA' flowering dogwood

Pluribracteata is a rare variety of flowering dogwood that is probably more commonly known as Alba Plena. It produces semi-double to double sets of white bracts with an elegant hint of light green. The larger bracts are four, and smaller ones in the centre can count up to 8. They surround a small head of true flowers. They are followed by oval, bright red, glossy berries in autumn, if pollinated. The fruit is not edible but probably not poisonous, still we discourage everyone from eating them owing to high contents of stomach-upsetting substances.

During flowering emerge broadly ovate, deciduous, mid green leaves. They turn all shades of red in autumn, especially if grown in acid soil. This species is called American dogwood because it comes from eastern parts of North America. In the wild it grows to almost 6m but garden-cultivated plants are commonly smaller. It grows slowly and makes horizontal, tiered branches. Pruning is not recommended.

This shrub does not like stress of any kind. Find it a nice spot now so you do not have to transplant it later, it might suffer from diseases thereafter. It needs moist but well-drained, acid soil, rich in organic material. It is fully hardy to -27°C and can withstand temporary drops to -29°C (USDA zone 5).

Last update 18-03-2014