Eurodogwoods

 

Eurodogwoods, a Cornus concept, grown by nursery J. Eppinga in Nijemirdum. In recent years, our company has specialized in growing the Cornus family. The Cornus family consists of a great variety of shrubs and small trees. The larger part is deciduous. Eurodogwoods specializes is growing the more exclusive species of Cornus. For these especially the growth habit ( Cornus alternifolia/Cornus controversa)and the flowers (Cornus Florida/Cornus kousa/Cornus nuttallii) are important. Above mentioned species are originally found in North America (alternifolia, florida and nuttallii) and China (controversa and kousa). 

 

Cornus kousa 'China Girl'

 

As far back as the 18th century the first Cornus species were imported from these countries into Europe. Some botanical gardens therefore hold some impressively large specimens. The flowers are much alike, although they do not seem to be from a distance. Those species that owe their popularity mainly to the beauty of their flowers, such as the Cornus florida, nuttallii and kousa, have flowers surrounded by large petals, also known as bracts. These vary in color from white to cream colored and from pink to red. Flowering time varies from mid-April to the end of May for the Cornus florida and nuttallii and the end of May till the beginning of July for the Cornus kousa. All Cornus are winterproof, although it is recommended to provide the smaller specimens with some light protection against freezing. As the flowering time is much later than, for example, most magnolia's, the Cornus species are not affected by late night frost. Naming the species consists of three parts. The first name is the family name. The second name holds the species and the third name indicates the cultivar, which is always between quotation marks. In the case of hybrids, the second name is discarded. E.g. the Cornus 'Eddy's White Wonder' which is hybrid of the Cornus florida and the Cornus nuttallii. Through the years scores of cultivars have been bred out of the before mentioned species. These plants vary in color, shape, growth habit or vitality, and differ greatly from the species found in the wild. 

 

Cornus X 'Rutban'  Aurora

 

Cultivars are always reproduced by cuttings and grafting. This assures the preservation of the plant's unique characteristics. In grafting a twig of the cultivar is placed on the rootstock of a regular species, which then coalesce. At our nursery this process occurs under humid conditions in the months September/October and January thru March. The stem (regular species) is mostly reproduced by seeding. Grafting is only successful when it is done upon a rootstock of the same family. The rootstock, therefore, always has to be a Cornus. This labour-intensive process naturally comes at a price, which can be seen in the pricing of the cultivars. However, these plants all bloom at a much younger age and have been selected for their outstanding quality. Therefore the higher price is well worth it, and the plants deserve a nice spot in your garden.