Cornus sanguinea 'Cato' [sold as Arctic Sun™]
Arctic Sun Bloodtwig Dogwood

 Plant Type:
 Growth Forms:
 Hardiness:
 Deciduous / Evergreen:
 Flower Notes:
White (1.5-2.5" wide clusters of small, white flowers)
 Foliage Notes:
Green (Summer foliage); Yellow (Golden yellow fall foliage)
 Stem Notes:
The top (younger) half of stems are orangish-red that fade to a yellow. Very attractive during the winter months the bottom half are yellow in winter
 Fruit Notes:
White (Whitish fruits (drupes) that have a blueish-tinge and attract birds)
 Ultimate Height:
3-4 feet
 Ultimate Spread:
3-4 feet
 Soil Notes:
Adaptable to a variety of soil conditions, but prefers a moist, well-drained soil
 Diagnostic Characteristics:
Leaves (1.5-3" in length, 0.75-1.75" in width) are opposite, simple, ovate, acuminate, and villous (having long, soft hairs) on both surfaces, with 3 to 5 pairs of veins that sweep toward, but never contact, the leaf margin. In winter, stems are orange-red near the top, fading to golden-yellow at the base.

Additional Information

The Arctic Sun Dogwood is a compact, suckering shrub that is notable for its yellow winter twigs that are tipped in orange-red and golden fall foliage. Grows well in a variety of situations, including alkaline soil. Easy to transplant. Relatively trouble-free. A three-year pruning cycle improves form, vigor, and winter stem color effect. Cutting all stems 6-12" from ground in late winter has similar effect. Best in mass plantings. Excellent for winter color.

Other plants like this Cornus sanguinea 'Cato' [sold as Arctic Sun™] (Arctic Sun Bloodtwig Dogwood)

The Purdue Arboretum is a collaboration between the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture and Physical Facilities Grounds Department

Purdue Arboretum, 625 Agriculture Mall Dr, West Lafayette, IN, 47907
© 2025 Purdue University | An equal access/equal opportunity university | Integrity Statement | Copyright Complaints | Maintained by the Purdue Arboretum
Contact Purdue Arboretum at arboretum@purdue.edu for accessibility issues with this page | Accessibility Resources | Contact Us