Cornus alba 'Aurea'

Cornus alba 'Aurea' is a fast growing, deciduous dogwood with soft golden-yellow leaves from spring through to late summer. Small clusters of creamy white flowers appear in late spring and early summer, followed by small pale berries. In autumn the leaves fall to reveal bright red stems that bring strong colour to the garden all winter. It holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

It grows to around 1.5 to 2m tall and wide. It does well in sun or partial shade and is happy in most soils, including heavy clay and damp ground, which makes it a good choice for wetter parts of the garden or near a pond. Fully hardy. For the best stem colour, cut some or all of the stems back hard in early spring.

It gives two seasons of colour from one plant: bright gold leaves in summer, then red stems in winter when the garden needs it most. It is tough, easy to grow and copes with damp soil where many shrubs struggle.