Yellow Twig Dogwood
This week, GardenWise concludes its five favorite Garden Delights, in no particular order, for Fall 2011. Yesterday we looked at the strking Aster, heated things up with the Dwarf Burning Bush, and earlier marveled at both the Toad Lily and Pink Muhly Grass. Today we’re showing off the Yellow Twig Dogwood.
M
any know of the Red Twig Dogwood, which is a beautiful shrub I enjoy for the fall. In fact, I have some on my own property, but my Dogs don’t play alone — they have companions. They play with the lesser known Yellow Twig Dogwood (Cornus stolonifera,) which provides a beautiful yellow color, and makes the list of “must have” garden delights for Fall 2011.
I like the Yellow Twig Dogwood for its bright yellow branch and twig color which are also fantastic for Winter. This shrub develops in great clumps and is a wonderful contrast against any Red Twig. Oval-shaped green leaves turn to orange-red in Fall, followed by white fruit tinged with green. The Yellow twig dogwood will tolerate wet soil, and can be grown in full sun or part shade. Some companion plants for the Yellow Dog is a variegated hosta, or something with a dark green larger textured leaf, such as Helleborus ‘White Lady’, also one of my new favorites.
I have to mention an additional variety of the Red Twig Dogwood — the Variegated Red Twig (Cornus alba ‘Elegantissima) which has a very bold variegated leaf that will add interest to your garden year round. I have two clumps in the front of my property that makes my front yard with its predominately all white garden flowers is a strong statement that passersby always stop to ask about.