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

Cornus sanguinea ′Cato′ [sold as Arctic Sun™] - Winter Habit

Family:

Cornaceae (Dogwood Family) 40

Genus:

Cornus (Dogwood) 40

Plant Type:

Shrub 468

Growth Forms:

Suckering / Colonizing 36

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 4 517

Deciduous / Evergreen:

Deciduous 838

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

Light Requirements:

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.

Special Characteristics:

Border 395

Mass Plantings 288

Pest and/or Disease Resistant 96

Slow Growth Rate 271

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.