The carpet dogwood, also known as the Canadian carpet dogwood (Cornus canadensis) due to its origins, is, although not a shrub or small tree, a hornbush. The flat, creeping dwarf shrub, which grows to a maximum height of 20 centimeters, is suitable as a ground cover for both large and small areas, but can also be cultivated in pots or balcony boxes.
What properties does the dogwood have as a ground cover?
The carpet dogwood is a hardy ground cover that is suitable for large and small areas as well as containers. It prefers bright to partially shaded locations, moist and slightly acidic soils, is evergreen and produces white flowers and red ornamental berries from May to June.
Winter-hardy and flowering dwarf shrub
The carpet dogwood, which is (still) rarely found in our latitudes but is very robust and hardy, looks exceptionally pretty. The plant is evergreen, with the foliage often turning reddish-orange in the cold season. The four white petals on a greenish head appear in the months of May to June, and by autumn they have developed into red, very attractive ornamental berries. However, these are not suitable for human consumption. Cornus canadensis spreads very quickly via root runners.
Properly care for and plant carpet dogwoods
In nature, the carpet dogwood grows preferably in open mixed and coniferous forests with slightly acidic, moist soils. With us you can cultivate the ground cover as an underplant for trees, but also for bordering or bordering beds and as a container plant.
Carpet dogwood also tolerates shady locations
Although the carpet dogwood prefers bright locations, it also feels very comfortable in semi-shady to shady places - provided the soil is moist enough. Due to the slightly acidic soil, the plant is particularly suitable for planting in heather or moorland gardens, as Cornus canadensis loves slightly acidic, moist and humus-rich substrate. In principle, the ground cover grows on all soils as long as they do not contain lime - the plant does not tolerate calcareous soil at all.
Do not remove leaves
There are no other care instructions to be followed for the carpet dogwood, except for the following instructions:
- If it is hot and dry, the carpet dogwood should be watered. The plant has a high moisture requirement.
- This rule applies in particular to potted plants, which naturally cannot provide themselves with the precious water.
- Mulching can also be useful.
- Basically, the carpet dogwood is wintergreen, but only in mild winters.
- Furthermore, you should not remove the leaves of the carpet dogwood, as valuable humus is formed from them.
Tip
You need between six and eight plants per square meter of soil to be planted. Before planting, the soil should be loosened well and enhanced with compost.
