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Description
Cornus Alba Kesselringii, commonly known as Kesselringii Red Twig Dogwood, is a deciduous shrub that belongs to the Cornaceae family. This plant is a cultivar of Cornus Alba, which is native to Siberia, Korea, and China. The Kesselringii Red Twig Dogwood is a popular ornamental plant due to its year-round interest, low maintenance, and beautiful red stems that provide winter interest.
Taxonomic Information
| Domain | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Spermatophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Cornales |
| Family | Cornaceae |
| Genus | Cornus |
| Species | Alba |
Appearance
The Kesselringii Red Twig Dogwood grows up to 6-8 feet tall and wide. It has an upright, spreading habit and produces clusters of creamy-white flowers in the spring. The leaves are ovate, dark green, and turn reddish-purple in the fall. The most striking feature of this plant is its bright red stems that stand out in the winter landscape.
Care Guide
The Kesselringii Red Twig Dogwood is easy to care for and can thrive in a variety of growing conditions. Here are some tips on how to care for this plant:
- Water: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during the first year of growth. Once established, this plant is drought-tolerant.
- Fertilization: Apply a balanced fertilizer in the spring before new growth appears.
- Soil: Plant in well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. This plant prefers slightly acidic soil with a pH between 5.5-6.5.
- Sunlight: The Kesselringii Red Twig Dogwood can tolerate a variety of light conditions, from full sun to partial shade.
- Hardiness Zones: This plant is hardy in USDA zones 3-7.
Common Pests & Diseases
The Kesselringii Red Twig Dogwood is generally resistant to pests and diseases. However, it may occasionally be affected by the following:
- Leaf Spot: This fungal disease causes brown spots on the leaves. Remove infected leaves and treat with a fungicide.
- Powdery Mildew: This fungal disease appears as a white powdery coating on the leaves. Treat with a fungicide.
- Aphids: These small insects suck the sap from the leaves, causing them to curl and distort. Treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Habitat
The Kesselringii Red Twig Dogwood is native to Siberia, Korea, and China. It prefers moist, well-drained soil and can tolerate a variety of light conditions, from full sun to partial shade. This plant is commonly used in landscaping as a hedge, border, or specimen plant.
Question and Answer
- Q: How tall does the Kesselringii Red Twig Dogwood grow?
- A: The Kesselringii Red Twig Dogwood can grow up to 6-8 feet tall and wide.
- Q: What is the most striking feature of this plant?
- A: The most striking feature of this plant is its bright red stems that stand out in the winter landscape.
- Q: What is the hardiness zone for this plant?
- A: This plant is hardy in USDA zones 3-7.
- Q: What is the common name for Cornus Alba?
- A: The common name for Cornus Alba is Siberian Dogwood.
Related Plants
- Cornus alba ‘Aurea’
- Cornus alba ‘Elegantissima’
- Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’
References
- Missouri Botanical Garden. (n.d.). Cornus alba ‘Kesselringii’. Retrieved from https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=c545
- University of Illinois Extension. (n.d.). Red Twig Dogwood. Retrieved from https://extension.illinois.edu/red-twig-dogwood
- University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum. (n.d.). Cornus alba ‘Kesselringii’. Retrieved from https://arboretum.wisc.edu/trees/cornus-alba-kesselringii/
