Cornus alba kesselringii - Purple-Black Dogwood Plants

Purple-Barked Dogwood - Cornus alba kesselringii

Cornus alba kesselringii, the Purple-Barked Dogwood, is a medium sized shrub with fabulous purple, sometimes almost black bark and rich green foliage that turns a deep violet in autumn. Cornus kesselringii is particularly effective when planted with red and/or yellow Dogwood. Like most dogwoods, Purple-Barked Dogwood will grow in almost any soil but it loves wet ground. Cut back very hard in spring for the best stem colour the following winter.

The name Dogwood comes from the Saxon Dagwood or "skewer-wood". The stems are very straight, can be sharpened easily and are ideal for sticking through your home made kebabs.