Brighten Your Landscape with Natural Texture and Contrast

The variegated dogwood is one of the easiest ways to add year-round interest to your yard. Its soft green leaves, edged in creamy white, create a bright, layered look that stands out against fences, evergreens, and darker backdrops.

Most gardeners use this plant for creating a loose, natural hedge along fences or property lines, where it fills in quickly and adds a softer, more organic look than tightly trimmed shrubs. It’s also commonly planted as a backdrop in garden beds, providing height and contrast behind lower plants like hostas, heather, or ornamental grasses. Many homeowners pair it with evergreens such as arborvitae or boxwood to break up solid green landscapes and add visual interest throughout the season.

Details

Botanical: Cornus a. 'Elegantissima'

Classification: Deciduous Shrub

Bloom Time: Late Spring to Summer

Fragrant: Yes

Flower Color: White

Foliage Color:  Variegated

Growth/ Care

Average Size at Maturity:   6-8 ft. tall, 4-6 ft. wide

Growth Habit: Erect

Growth Rate: Moderate

Light Needs: Partial to Full Sun

Water Needs:  Moderate

USDA Grow Zone

Zone: 2-8