Variegated Cornus alternifolia

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notgrnjean Southern, NJ(Zone 6b) Oct 09, 2006

I bought a little bitty variegated Pagoda dogwood the other day. It's about 18 inches tall. Should I go ahead and plant it or try to keep it in the post somewehre 'til Spring?

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Decumbent Cincinnati, OH(Zone 6b) Oct 09, 2006

Unless you can put it someplace really safe, like a greenhouse heated to 40F, it will be better off in the ground. These things are very hardy. Plant normally and be sure to mulch it pretty well to prevent it from being frost-heaved. An unheated, attached garage suffices for the heated greenhouse quite well if you'd still rather wait until spring.

Scott

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david5311 Ann Arbor, MI(Zone 5b) Oct 09, 2006

I have one of these that is 8-10 years old. Even though many winters during that period were mild, we had some real zone 5 winters (at least 2 went to -15F). It was planted as a one gallon plant from Gosslers, and was moved at least 3 times (don't ask....), including once in the fall after leaf drop. It has never shown any damage from those moves or winter hardiness issues at all, except for an occasional twig dying back to the branch point, a characteristic I have also seen with the variegated C. controversa forms, and I think has nothing to do with hardiness. I would not hesitate to plant it now -- it should have 1-2 months to put out some root growth before the ground freezes.

BTW, my plant is now about 5' tall by 6' across. So it does grow quite slowly. Best sited in full, bright shade as far as I can see

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notgrnjean Southern, NJ(Zone 6b) Oct 09, 2006

The ground it will be. Thanks.

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