Japanese name: サンゴミズキ（珊瑚水木） Scientific name:Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’
[Overview]
A cultivar of Shiratama-mizuki.
A deciduous shrub growing to about 3 m tall.
The leaves are simple, opposite and elliptic.
The leaf margins are entire, and the undersides are tinged with a powdery white.
Cymes 3–5 cm across densely bear many small cream-colored flowers with 4 petals.
After the leaves fall, the branches turn a vivid red.
[Uses]
It is used as cut branches.
[Cultivation]
Propagate by grafting.
Avoid transplanting or pruning in early spring, as it weakens the tree.
It prefers fertile, moderately moist ground that is well drained, in sun to partial shade, but is not very particular about soil.
The branches color better in a sunny site.
For potted plants, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries.
In late spring, apply organic fertilizer around the base of the plant.
Prune after flowering.
Pests and diseases include powdery mildew and saddleback caterpillars.
