Cornus x elwinortonii 'Venus'
(Flowering Dogwood 'Venus')
Family - Cornaceae
Category - Shrub, tree
Hybrid Parents - Cornus nuttallii 'Goldspot' x C. kousa var. chinensis
Origin - Raised at Rutgers University, USA
Discovered By - Raised by Dr Elwin Orton
Season of Interest - Spring, Summer, Autumn
Hardiness - H5
Height - up to 6m
Width - up to 4m
Location - The White Garden
Description: A large Deciduous Shrub or small tree with an upright habit and spreading branches. Dark green leaves are ovate to Elliptic in shape and are pointed at the tips. Exceptionally large dogwood-type flowers are composed of a small central cluster of yellow-green flowers (sometimes tinged with red) surrounded by four very large, showy white Bracts. The flowers are held singly along the spreading branches and produced prolifically in late spring and early summer. The flowers are followed by red strawBerry-like fruit. The foliage turns vivid shades of yellow, orange and purple in autumn before falling.
The correct botanical name for this plant is Cornus x elwinortonii 'Kn30 8', VENUS is a trademark, or preferred selling name.
Flower:
Dense, rounded cymes of small greenish-yellow flowers, sometimes tinged red, are surrounded by a collar of very large, snow white bracts (involucres). The flowers are produced in May and June and are followed by domed red fruit that vaguely resemble strawberries.
Flower colour: White
Flower shape: Small flowers in cymes surrounded by bracts
Flowering time: May, June
Foliage:
Dark green leaves are ovate to Elliptic in shape. The leaves are held in opposite pairs on the brittle, spreading branches. The foliage turns vivid shades of yellow, orange and purple in autumn before falling.
Foliage Senescence: Deciduous
Foliage Shape: Ovate to elliptic
Autumn Colour: Yellow, orange, purple
Propagation:
Plant Breeder's Rights (PBR). Unlicensed commercial propagation is prohibited.
Cultivation:
Best in full sun in fertile, moisture-retentive soil that is well-drained. This plant prefers soil that is neutral to acidic in pH.