To decorate my garden, I have long planted several Derain bushes. This year I waited for their first flowering, the view of the plant during this period is simply amazing. I recommend this shrub for planting to those who do not have much free time to care for ornamental plants.
The whole process of planting and further cultivation will not give you any trouble. In this article, you will get acquainted with the plant in more detail.
Almost all gardeners who have their own plot try to ennoble it with the help of a wide variety of plants. The so-called hedge, which is built with the help of shrubs and trees, is popular. A plant like deren will be a real find for any gardener.
Such a bush has a great height and is able to decorate any space with itself. There are several types of this plant, which I want to talk about in more detail.
Such a shrub will be an ideal option for decorating your own site. In height, such a plant reaches three meters. If proper care is not taken.
Such a bush will instantly grow, become untidy and ruin the whole appearance of the yard or garden. An important part of a beautiful shrub is its regular pruning. Do not start the growth of the shrub, and then you will not have to spend more time trimming it.
White Derain attracts attention with its brightness. The branches of this plant have a red tint, and with age, the shoots become completely brown.
Constant pruning and shortening of the shoots will make the color of the shoots more saturated. Even after leaf fall, the shrub will not lose its decorative effect and will look even more beautiful against the backdrop of snow-white mountains of snow.
Derain foliage on the inside has a richer shade of green than on the outside. The edge of each sheet has a white border, and the plate is decorated with light spots. Derain leaves turn purple in autumn, while the light edges and spots remain the same.
During the flowering period, this bush is densely covered with flowers of a pale yellow hue. The flowers are collected in inflorescences, they are not large, only a few cm in diameter. In the autumn period, blue-white fruits are formed on the plant, they should not be eaten.
Where to plant shrubs
Derain has no special requirements for the quality and composition of the soil. The bush grows well both in the sun and in the shade, while being able to endure frosty weather and summer heat.
A short drought or high humidity does not bother the plant. If there is a swampy soil area on the site, you can safely plant Derain there. The plant will hide an inconspicuous area of the garden and visibly drain it.
- This shrub is often planted as a hedge;
- In an individual planting and in the company of other plants, the shrub will look unsurpassed;
- The combination of white and red Derain planted nearby looks great;
- These shrubs are often used to decorate the central parks of many cities.
Derain red, description
In the wild, this bush reaches a height of 4 meters and becomes very sprawling. The young branches of the plant are colored green, with age they become red. The shrub has a large number of leaves with a dark and light side.
The foliage of Derain red does not have light spots and borders around the leaf, the leaves of this species have a soft hairy coating. In autumn, the foliage of this Derain turns bright red, from where the plant gets its name.
The flowering of the shrub begins at the end of May and lasts only a month, if the climate is suitable for the plant, then another flowering begins in August.
The bush will give the first flowers only at the age of seven. The flowers are painted in a milky white shade and are collected in compact inflorescences. In the autumn period, dark fruits of an attractive appearance appear, but are unacceptable for food.
This plant looks especially beautiful in winter, bright red stems stand out on a snowy canvas, and it looks really impressive.
Derain is best planted where the color contrast is obtained. The plant tolerates drought and heat well, as well as frost. Since the root system has many small branches, the plant is often used to compact soil on slopes.
More about the plant in the video:
Bush planting
- Despite the fact that white and red Derain tolerate shade well, the color of foliage and shoots in such a place will become more faded;
- It is better to use for landing, more lit places, at least with diffused light;
- Remember that the first few years the shrub will not grow very actively, but then it will sharply increase in growth and actively spread its side shoots.
For better growth and a more attractive appearance, Deren will still require fertile soil or periodic top dressing. When choosing a seedling for planting, ask the seller which of the plants has not yet reached the age of 4 years, just such a seedling is suitable for you.
If the roots of the plant are somewhat dry, put it in the water for several hours so that they are saturated with moisture. When planting Deren in the spring on the root system, leave an earthen ball so that the process injures it less.
After planting, the plant is well watered and covered with a mulch layer to retain moisture for a long time. Dry grass, hay, or leaves can be used as mulch.
Derain white (Cornus Alba) is an original garden culture, which is distinguished by unique decorative qualities. The shrub is able to decorate the garden plot, delighting with its beauty throughout the year.
All types of derain are considered spectacular ornamental crops, however, white derain has won special love from Russian gardeners.
The shrub is also called white dogwood and svidina. And in the West and in the USA, the sod is called a dog tree (dogwood). This is probably due to the fact that the fruits of derain resemble wolf berries. However, it is possible that dogwood is a modified form of the word dagwood, which means "wood". Previously, in fact, weapons were made from the wood of this shrub - knives, daggers. Also popularly referred to as a shrub krasnotalom. 
The shrub belongs to the dogwood family. Derain white belongs to the species that get along well on the territory of Russia, since it is perfectly adapted to harsh winters. This is a large culture. Its branches are spreading and flexible. Coloring of the bark of branches: red, red-brown. In nature, krasnothal is often found along roadsides, on the coasts of reservoirs and on forest edges. 
The shrub is beautiful all year round. At the end of the summer season, fruits ripen, which have a rounded shape and white color. Their diameter does not exceed 8 mm. At this time, white small flowers appear, which are collected in inflorescences. In autumn, the foliage of the shrub is decorative. It acquires possible colors: burgundy, orange, crimson. And even in winter, against the background of white snow, the reddish bark of the turf looks very beautiful.
Varieties
Thanks to the work of breeders, varietal species of this plant were bred.
Siberia (Sibirica)- This is a popular variety in Russia. This is an ornamental shrub. It is distinguished by spreading branches, the bark of which has the color of corals. The bark acquires a particularly bright color in winter. The bush grows up to 3 meters in height. The leaves are oblong and dark green in color. With the onset of the autumn season, they acquire purple and burgundy colors. After the rains, the color of the foliage becomes even juicier, while the drought is fraught with their pallor and rapid fall.
From the beginning of summer to autumn, Siberian blooms with white flowers, which are collected in inflorescences in the form of corymbs. At the same time, the fruits ripen. At first they are white, and as they mature, they become bluish.
It is a shade tolerant and frost tolerant variety. Widely used in garden design. Shrubs are planted in groups, they create beautiful hedges, mixborders from shrubs. It can also be used for landscaping parks, squares and squares.
Siberia
Elengatissima (Elegantissima)- This is a common shrub variety. Differs in large sizes - up to 3 meters in height and in width. It features spreading branches, decorative bark and foliage throughout all seasons of the year. Can live over 50 years.
Flowering begins in May and ends at the end of June. Flowering is represented by small flowers that are painted white. They are formed in inflorescences in the form of corymbs. The leaves are very decorative. Green leaves are distinguished by the presence of a wide border of white. They can reach 8 cm in length. In autumn, they take on yellow, orange or purple hues. At the beginning of the autumn period, berry-like fruits ripen, which have a bluish color.
The variety is fast growing. For a year it can grow by 40 cm both in height and in width. Elengatissima is a drought-resistant, frost-resistant and shade-tolerant variety. The shoots are distinguished by a red bark, they look especially great in the winter season.
The variety is good for group plantings, plantings in cities, squares and parks. Combines well with other shrubs. An ideal application is the creation of hedges.
Elengatissima
Siberian Variegata (Sibirica Variegata)- a varietal variety, somewhat similar to Elengatissima. At the same time, its dimensions are somewhat smaller. The height that the bush can reach is 1.5 meters. Shrub diameters - up to 2 meters. The branches are spreading, rich red.
The leaves are large, dark green inside with a creamy border. From a distance, they just look like a white spot. With the onset of the autumn period, the leaves acquire a purple color, while the border remains light. This makes the shrub very decorative throughout the year. It blooms with white small flowers with a greenish tint. The flowers have a pleasant aroma. White fruits turn blue as they ripen.
It is a shade-tolerant, winter-hardy and drought-resistant variety. It is used for group plantings, goes well with deciduous and coniferous shrubs. Great for small gardens and forming hedges.
Siberian Variegata
Shpeta (Spaethii)- decorative variety. On average, it grows up to 2 meters. It is distinguished by incredible beauty in the autumn due to the purple color of the leaves with the preservation of a yellow border.
Castings are large. In summer they are light green with a wide yellowish border, and in autumn they turn purple, while the color of the border is preserved. The bark of the branches is red-brown. Looks great in winter against the background of white snowdrifts. Berry-shaped fruits ripen in September, they are distinguished by a bluish tint. Small white flowers form inflorescences no larger than 5 cm. Flowering lasts from May to July.
The variety is shade-tolerant, drought-resistant and frost-resistant, however, it often freezes in cold and snowy winters. Shpeta is a good tapeworm and also great for planting in groups. One area of use of the variety is the creation of hedges.
Ivory Halo- This is an ornamental varietal variety. Its height does not exceed 1.5 meters. Shoots differ in cherry color, they form a compact crown. On green leaves there is a wide yellowish border. In autumn, the leaves change color to purple.
Blooms with small yellowish flowers. They form themselves into inflorescences in the form of shields. The fruit ripening period is September. They are white and spherical. As they ripen, the fruits acquire a bluish tint.
Ivory Halo is suitable for planting in groups and as a tapeworm. It goes well with other deciduous and coniferous shrubs. Good for forming hedges and urban landscaping.
Ivory halo
Landing
Planting derain Sibirik, Elengatissima and all the others does not require special skills and knowledge. The shrub is unpretentious. It is not demanding on the composition of the substrate. At the same time, it grows better and longer on fertile soil. It is better to choose cultivated soil, which is cleared of stones and various debris. However, wastelands and city streets are also suitable for the successful growth of turf.
White derain does not like acidic soils, so it is better if the soil is neutral or slightly alkaline. The shrub lovingly refers to the high content of humus in the soil. In addition, a good drainage layer is required. There should be no standing water in the ground. It is advisable to choose sites for planting where the soil is loose. In such soil, the root system will develop much better.
For planting a plant, it is best to choose places well-lit by the sun. However, sod grows well in partial shade, since most varieties are shade-tolerant. However, in strong shade, the leaves will not be as bright as in the sun. This is especially true for such varieties as Elengatissima, Sibirika Variegata, Shpeta.
It is advisable to plant in early spring, when the ground has not yet had time to thaw. If a seedling was purchased that has a closed root system, then it can be planted at the end of autumn. It is better to do this at least a month before the arrival of stable frosts, so that the plant adapts to such conditions.
The planting hole should be slightly larger in diameter than the size of the root system.
Siberian Deren and Morrow Sedge
Care
Adult specimens tolerate drought well, but young plants need high-quality watering. Watering should be plentiful so that the entire root system is saturated with moisture. Insufficient watering can lead to drying out of the shoots. Adult plants should not be watered as plentifully as young ones. The exception is a long drought.
Curling leaves and drooping branches are a clear sign of a lack of moisture. If this happens, then the culture needs to be watered abundantly, moistening not only the surface of the soil, but the entire root ball.
During the hours of midday heat, it is impossible to water the culture. The best time is early morning or evening hours.
Care in the spring includes pruning, top dressing and occasional watering.
Top dressing is mainly needed only for young specimens. It is recommended to feed with humus or humus. Mature plants need to be fertilized only after diseases or pruning, and also if the bush is poorly or slowly developing.
Shelter for the winter is not required, as white turf is a frost-resistant crop. So, for example, the Elegantissima variety is able to withstand the most severe frosts. Even if the trunk of the bush freezes above the snow cover, then with the advent of spring the plant will quickly recover.
Composition with geyhers and allium onions.
Reproduction by cuttings
Derain seed propagation is a long and difficult process, therefore it is used extremely rarely. In view of this, propagation by cuttings is used for the varieties Elengatissima, Sibirik and others.
As cuttings for propagation, semi-lignified or lignified are used. If there are a lot of cuttings, then they can be planted in cold greenhouses. If not enough, then separate containers are taken, flower pots are suitable.
Propagation by cuttings is done in spring.
Planted cuttings should be regularly watered and sprayed.
This method of reproduction allows you to get a large number of new plants.
The border of the conservatory at Bressingham Gardens, Norfolk, UK.
Pruning and haircut
Rejuvenating pruning is necessary in the spring. You can do this in the fall, but in winter the culture looks very decorative, so you should not prune in the fall. When pruning, all old branches are pruned. Pruning stimulates the growth of new young shoots. Leave the height of the shoots about 20 cm from the stump.
Several times per season (about 3 times) the culture is sheared. Since the crown is very spreading, it needs to be shaped. Usually given an oval or spherical shape. In addition to improving the visual appearance, cutting helps to preserve the decorative properties of the shrub.
Varieties (Elengatissima, Sibirika and others) lend themselves well to pruning and shearing.
Application in landscape design
Derain white is used in single and group plantings, used for mixborders of deciduous and coniferous shrubs. With it, hedges are created, as well as winter gardens. 
In the summer cottage, you can grow different types and varieties of deren. This plant looks neat and beautiful, while the shrubs are not demanding to care for and easily tolerate both drought and frost. Due to the variety of species, you can create a unique landscape design. The genus Deren unites about 45 species growing in temperate climates.
Characteristics of offspring deren
Derain offspring is called so due to the ability to produce a large number of shoots, or root offspring. This feature gives the derain bushes a collapsing shape. The height of the bush is up to 3.5 m. This plant has long branches, large oval leaves, shiny flexible shoots.
From the fourth or fifth year, the offspring derain blooms. It takes place in May. Flowering is accompanied by the appearance of milky white inflorescences. In autumn, they turn into juicy blue-white fruits. The diameter of the crown of the offspring derain is equal to the height of the bush.
The decorative season of this type of shrub is not limited to any one season: it continues all year round.
Decorative forms of offspring deren are:
Features of flowering derain
Derain blooming is a symbol of two US states - North Carolina and Virginia. This species is valued for its beautiful flowers of large sizes, which appear on the branches quite early: in the south - in mid-April, in the north - in early May.
Blooming derain (another name is Cornus Florida) grows in the form of a tree. Height - from 50 cm to 1.2 m, but individual bushes can reach 10 m in length. The leaves of this type of derain are green, with a margin on the lower part. In autumn they turn red-brown.
The fruits appear in late summer or September. They are small in size, painted in red-orange color.
The most famous varieties of this type of deren are Cherokee Chef, Rubra, Cherokee Princess.
Types and varieties of white deren
Another description is white derain. It is also called white dogwood. In Western countries, the shrub is called a dog tree. This is due to the fact that its fruits resemble wolf berries. White sod is adapted to the harsh Russian winters. The shrub reaches up to three meters in height.
Sibirica
This type of shrub has spreading branches, the bark of which is colored coral. Leaves are dark green, flowers are white. The latter appear from the beginning of summer and remain until autumn. The fruits appear in the same period and are white at first, and become slightly bluish as they ripen.
Elegantissima
This variety of white derain has spreading branches. Flowering begins in May, ends at the end of June. The leaves are green, with a wide white border. Blue berries ripen in early autumn. This variety is resistant to frost and drought, tolerates shade. Due to its external characteristics, this plant is also known as silver-bordered turf.
Alba Gouchaultii
Derain white Gouchaultii is a deciduous shrub with a wide crown, the diameter of which reaches 3 m, as well as the height of the trunk. The leaves of the shrub are green, with a wide yellow border. Blooms in May. Deren Alba Gouchalty has white flowers of small size, which are collected in large inflorescences. The variety is shade-tolerant, but grows much better in areas open to the sun's rays.
Ivory Halo
This variety differs from other representatives of white deren with a height that does not exceed 1.5 m. The shoots have a cherry hue, the leaves are green, with a wide yellow border. During the flowering period, yellow flowers appear. The fruits ripen in September. They are white and turn blue as they mature.
This variety is considered one of the most beautiful among the representatives of the Deren genus. Distinctive features of this shrub are a wide crown of an unusual shape: its main branches are raised funnel-shaped, and young shoots are arranged horizontally, in tiers, one above the other.
The place of distribution of this variety of derain is China and Japan, where trees can be found in dry forests and on mountain slopes. That is why Coase's derain is called Japanese or Chinese.
Coase begins to bloom at the end of May. The inflorescences of this shrub are yellow-green, collected in heads, each of which is 6 cm in diameter. Around each head there are large bracts - modified leaves.
The leaves of the Chinese Coase deren are long - up to 10 cm, wavy, ovoid in shape. Unlike the Japanese variety, the fruits and leaves of this species are larger.
In September and October, fruits of a rich dark pink color, the size of an apple of paradise, appear on the bushes.
Characteristics of red deren
This variety of dogwood has a bright color that sets it apart from other shrubs. Another name is blood-red svidina. Red derain is widespread in Europe.
The shrub reaches a height of four meters. The leaves are ovoid in shape. In summer they are green, in autumn - intense red or wine color. The shoots are also green at first, but gradually acquire a brownish-red color. The flowers are white, the fruits of this variety of derain are black and blue, up to 8 mm in diameter, as seen in the photo.
The denser the shadow under which the red turf grows, the less intense its memorable color.
Deren Aurea
You can find out what Aurea derain looks like with this photo. Deren Aurea (also known as white deren) comes from the Far East. The height of the shrub is 2 m, the diameter of the crown is about 2.5 m.
The leaves of the Aurea species are large and wide. In early summer they have a burgundy-brown color, then the turf becomes lemon yellow, and closer to autumn the foliage turns red.
The bush is lush, has many branches. The flowers are small, creamy white, with a pleasant aroma of nectar. Flowering begins in June, and if the summer was warm and humid, it may repeat in.
Description of the type of deren ordinary
Common derain (also male derain) is a shrub reaching a height of 3 to 8 m. In early spring, the tree is covered with a large number of umbrellas, in which there are many yellow small flowers. Flowering lasts about 14 days.
Under favorable conditions, this type of dogwood grows up to 250 years.
Mature fruits of common deren have a coral-red color. There are such subspecies of this variety as golden-motley derain, silver-motley derain, cream-spotted derain.
Derain in landscape design and the practical use of shrubs
A variety of species and varieties of deren, as well as year-round decorativeness of this shrub, allows you to create unique ones.
Beautiful and well-groomed sheared hedges are formed from deren. Against their background, chrysanthemums and other perennials stand out well.
In addition to aesthetic properties, it can also bring benefits. The beneficial properties of dogwood include the following:
Many species and varieties of deren are known, which makes it possible to successfully use this shrub in landscape design. Derain is not a houseplant. Depending on the variety, leaves and flowers, dogwood fruits have different shades. Derain shrubs are unpretentious to growing conditions and do not require special care.
Video acquaintance with the types and varieties of derain
Derain (svidina, hornfels, turf) belongs to the dogwood family. Some species are considered within the genus Swida. The plant is native to eastern North America. Durable wood has found its reflection in the Latin name "cornus", which means "horn" in translation. This culture includes about fifty species, most of which live in the temperate zones of the Northern Hemisphere. It is worth noting that Central Africa and South America also “sheltered” one species of this plant on their territory. Most of the derens are deciduous, less often they are evergreen shrubs (trees).
The decorative beauty of plants has forced gardeners to pay close attention to them - they are planted for beautiful foliage, as well as delicate flowers and white, red, yellow, pink or blue fruits that ripen closer to September (drupe berries are oval or pear-shaped). Even in winter, the deren pleases the eye with shoots painted in burgundy, bright red, yellow and bright green. All types of turf are frost-resistant, absolutely undemanding to the soil and tolerate city gas pollution well. In nature, the plant is found in floodplains of rivers, along the banks of lakes, as well as in the undergrowth of deciduous and dark coniferous trees.
The benefits of deren (svidina)
Deren is an excellent honey plant. Wood is used to make various handicrafts (caskets, canes, etc.), and the bark and leaves are used for tanning and dyeing skins. In folk medicine, deren is used to improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and increase the secretion of gastric juice, as well as an anti-inflammatory and temperature-lowering natural medicine. Dry fruits are recommended for colds. It has been noticed that regular consumption of berries allows you to cleanse the body of harmful elements (including oxalic and uric acid). The fruits are useful for anemia, diabetes, tuberculosis and scurvy, as well as for diseases of the liver and joints. A decoction of the seeds is effective for hemorrhoids. A decoction of fruits and deren bark can be used as an stimulant, tonic, tonic. The bioactive substances that make up the fruit help normalize blood pressure, eliminate headaches and prevent sclerosis. Deren can be used for metabolic disorders and obesity, as well as for swelling of the legs, joint diseases, gout, venous insufficiency and inflammation of the veins. Berries are also effective for skin diseases.
The chemical composition of deren (pork)
Derain berries contain sugars, organic acids (malic, succinic, citric), pectin and tannins, as well as essential oils. They have a high concentration of vitamins A, P and C, as well as mineral salts of potassium, calcium, iron and magnesium. Derain pits contain oil and tannins.
Methods for harvesting turf (pork)
Derain is a food, multivitamin, honey and medicinal crop. Sweet and sour derena berries are dried or consumed fresh. Derain is harvested in the form of compotes, syrups, juices, wines, liqueurs, tinctures, jams, preserves and marmalade. Marshmallows are made from berries, and they are also harvested in the form of a completely ready-to-eat filling for pies.
Contraindications to the use of deren (svidina)
Deren (svidina) should not be used with increased acidity of the stomach, as well as with nervous excitement and individual intolerance. It is not recommended to eat berries at night.
At first glance, most species of deren, or svidina (genus Сornus L.), common in temperate latitudes, do not represent anything interesting: large bushes with ordinary green leaves and small nondescript whitish flowers. But with the onset of autumn days, these plants change their rustic appearance. They are impossible to miss due to the abundance of orange-red or purple-violet leaves, against which clusters of snow-white or blue-black fruits stand out. Well, in winter, some derains delight with the bright color of the bark - coral, bright yellow or green.
Bright shoots - the decoration of the winter garden. Photo: AiF / Svetlana Kazarova
Designer Tips
The variegated forms of the derain well enliven and illuminate the dark corners of the garden, making the site brighter. They can also be planted in the foreground, to visually deepen the space. Derens with variegated and yellow-colored leaves can also be used in hedges. To avoid excessive variegation or, conversely, monotony, it is useful to add plants with green leaf color to them when planting.Recognized leader
White derain (Cornus alba L.) is perhaps the most common in gardens and urban landscaping. This is an upright deciduous shrub up to 3 m high. The bark of its branches is painted bright red, which is why the bushes look very beautiful in winter against the backdrop of white snow and evergreens. Large leaves, dark green above and whitish-gray below, turn bright purple and red in autumn. Inconspicuous creamy white flowers are collected in small inflorescences. Flowering begins at the end of May and continues until late autumn, so that on one bush you can simultaneously see both flowers and round white fruits with a bluish tint.
In autumn, the derens are especially elegant. Photo: AiF / Svetlana Kazarova
Derain white can grow in any area, but feels best near water bodies, on loose, moist, sandy loamy soils. It is very valuable for personal plots with a close standing of groundwater. Shade-tolerant, grows quickly, does not spread, only in adulthood gives a small root growth.
His outfits
Separately, I would like to dwell on the forms of white derain with an unusual color of the leaves. So, in the varieties ‘Argenteo-marginata’ and ‘Elegantissima’, the leaves are decorated with bright white edging, spots and stripes (the latter has a narrower border). They do not lose their color even in the shade - this derain compares favorably with other ornamental shrubs. Plants reach a height of 3 m. In another white-edged variety, ‘Sibirica Variegata’, the bushes are lower and denser, with coral-red branches.
Derain white ‘Argenteo-marginata’. Photo: AiF / Svetlana Kazarova
Lovers of shrubs with golden foliage also have plenty to choose from. For example, in the ‘Aurea’ form, the leaves bloom bright yellow and retain this color for a long time. ‘Spaethii’ bushes are up to 2.5 m high, and each leaf is bordered around the perimeter with a wide golden stripe. This color lasts throughout the season, and in the spring, when the leaves bloom, a beautiful reddish-orange hue is added to it. Well, in the ‘Gauchaultii’ variety (bush height up to 1.5 m), slightly drooping leaves are covered with white, yellow and pink spots.
Derain white 'Spaethii'. Photo: AiF / Svetlana Kazarova
winter fairy tale
The most elegant coral shoots are from the ‘Sibirica’ variety. ‘Atrosanguinea’ has raspberry-colored branches, ‘Kesselringii’ has purple-black, and the leaves are brown when blooming. Variety ‘Westonbirt’ will delight you with dark coral-pink shoots.Other relatives
Another European species is also beautiful - red turf, or blood-red svidina (C. sanguinea L.). This is a fairly tall, up to 4 m, shrub with drooping or outstretched branches. At a young age they are green, then purple or brown-red. This deren is especially elegant in autumn, with numerous clusters of black fruits and burgundy autumn color of leaves. Soils prefer calcareous. The shrub is extremely shade tolerant.
North American relative - offspring sod (C. stolonifera Michx.), or silky (C. sericea L.), is close to white sod, but differs in the ability to produce many root suckers. The branches of this shrub are long and easily rooted, in contact with the ground. This species also has many decorative forms. For example, ‘Flaviramea’ has a bright green-yellow color of young shoots, ‘Nitida’ is bright green, and ‘Elongata’, in addition to green shoots, also stands out with long narrow leaves. Other varieties with bark of red-brown and red shades: ‘Baileyi’ - a three-meter shrub that does not give offspring; ‘Isanti’ is a compact bush up to 1 m tall; ‘Kelseyi’ is a dwarf up to 50 cm high with bright red shoots.
Will you?
Among derains there are species that are used not only as ornamental, but also as fruit crops. Derain male (C. mas L.), more often called dogwood, is known precisely for its delicious sweet and sour fruits. It grows as a low tree up to 8 m or a large shrub up to 3–4 m tall. Dogwood is undemanding to the composition of the soil, but it develops better on fertile, slightly moist soil containing lime (optimum acidity is 6–7). Propagated by seeds that germinate in the second year.
Dogwood fruits. Photo: AiF / Svetlana Kazarova
How to grow?
Most derains are very "grateful" plants. They are unpretentious in terms of light, composition and soil moisture. They are planted both singly and in groups, used in sheared or free-growing hedges, as well as to secure steep slopes, river banks.
Did you know?
There are flowering types of derens that have large (up to 6 cm in diameter) white or pink wrappers around the flowers - Natela derens (C. Nuttalii Audub), Japanese (C. Kousa Hance), capitate (C. capitata Wall.) and flowering (C florida L.). Unfortunately, they are weakly winter-hardy and in central Russia are doomed to freezing even with shelter.Svidins are propagated by seeds, cuttings, root offspring. Seeds are harvested as they ripen, as flowering and fruiting are extended. They are sown in late autumn or spring after 4-month stratification, planting to a depth of 3-4 cm. The rooting rate of semi-lignified cuttings in most derens is about 90%.
The key to the decorativeness of derain bushes is the correct formation. After all, they annually give a lot of new shoots. Plants grown for their beautiful foliage will be compact and beautiful if every third shoot is cut from them every year as close to the ground as possible. This pruning should begin when the turf reaches the age of three. First of all, the weakest and oldest branches are cut out, then those that violate the shape of the bush.
Decorative forms with brightly colored shoots will have a more attractive appearance if every two years the entire bush is regularly cut off at a height of 5 cm from the base. This stimulates the formation of new shoots with brighter bark color.
