Cornus kesselringii. \nMore commonly known as Black Stem Dogwood \nA vigorous, fast growing shrub, suckering by nature and forming thickets of upright shoots, dark red at first but turning deep purple almost black in winter. \nCornus kesselringii is said to resemble black bamboo. \nThe long thin leaves are dark green with a slight purple hue in spring and summer but turn the most amazing shades of purplish-plum in autumn before falling in early winter. \nBorne in late spring the small off-white flowers of Cornus kesselringii are carried in flat clusters and are followed by white berries in autumn. \nButterflies, bees and many other insects are attracted to the flowers and the entire plant makes excellent cover for wild birds and small mammals. \nCornus kesselringii shows it colour best in winter and is very effective when mixed with other differently coloured Dogwoods or planted with white bark birch. \nPerforms particularly well when planted in full sun, near water or on a wet site. \nCan be used to make an unusual and informal hedge but kesselringii is more often seen as an ornamental screen or planted en-mass to cover large damp areas. \nCornus Kesselringii will reach 3 metres if left unhindered but to help keep the plant in check and to develop the best bark colour it is recommended that stems be cut back to ground level in spring. \nA very striking shrub with year-round interest. \nAll pictures used are of mature plants in bloom, they are for illustration purposes only and may not reflect the plant at all times of the year. \nBrowse OTHER CULTIVARS of this plant. \nOur Cornus plants are supplied ex. 10cm pots, they can be planted out immediately but better results may be obtained if they are grown on for a short time in a slightly larger container before transplanting to their final growing positions \nPACK 1 PLANT \nIMMEDIATE \n \nGarden Sanity has some GOOD ADVICE on taking care of your new plant. \nWe ask all our buyers to remember Cornus plants are living items and their appearance changes with the seasons.  Please don’t panic if the plant you receive looks different to the image on the website. This is quite normal and not a matter for any worry or concern, it is likely to be in perfect condition for the time of year. Particularly in autumn and winter many shrubs will lose their leaves and look rather bare, gaunt and stick-like and from August onwards many perennial plants may not even be showing above the soil.\n\nWe want you to be happy with your purchase and all our Cornus are checked and inspected visually before packing. at .  . Due to the nature of the goods we cannot accept any responsibility for their failure after planting as pests, disease, poor horticultural practice, extremes of weather and many other factors outside our control all take their toll. Cornus kesselringii . . .