VELVET DUSK™ DOGWOOD

VELVET DUSK™ DOGWOOD Homeowner Growing & Maintenance Tips

• Recommended Soil:
• Prefers fertile, humus-rich soil that holds consistent moisture without remaining excessively soggy.
• Adaptable to clay, loam, and sandy soils when drainage and moisture are reasonably balanced.
• Good moisture tolerance makes this dogwood especially useful in naturally damp areas of the landscape.
• Incorporate organic matter into poor soils to encourage healthy roots and steady growth.
• Sun Exposure:
• Full sun encourages the strongest foliage color and helps support a sturdy, attractive habit.
• Part shade is also suitable, and actually preferred where afternoon conditions are warmer or more intense.
• Morning sun with afternoon shade can provide a nice balance in hotter climates.
• Good light exposure also helps the red winter stems stand out beautifully after leaf drop.
• Irrigation Needs:
• Water regularly during establishment to encourage a deep, dependable root system.
• Keep soil evenly moist during prolonged periods of summer heat or drought.
• Established plants are adaptable, but consistent moisture generally supports better foliage and overall vigor.
• Avoid allowing the root zone to remain chronically waterlogged, even though this dogwood tolerates damp conditions.
• Feeding & Nutrients:
• A spring application of a balanced, slow-release landscape fertilizer can support healthy seasonal growth.
• Organic compost or well-aged organic matter can provide gentle nutrition while improving soil structure.
• Avoid excessive nitrogen, which can encourage lush growth at the expense of balanced development.
• Healthy soil and consistent moisture are often more important than frequent fertilizing.
• Pruning & Maintenance:
• Prune during late winter or early spring when the plant is dormant and its structure is easy to see.
• Remove damaged, crossing, or weak branches to maintain a tidy, open framework.
• Older stems can be selectively removed near the base to encourage fresh, colorful new growth.
• Light shaping can help maintain the shrub's naturally upright, rounded form without over-pruning.

Family: Cornaceae · Common Name: Dogwood

FREE with every plant purchased:

• The Sooner Guarantee: For details, click here!
• A pre-applied, pre-measured amount of time release fertilizer that keeps your plant well nourished for up to one year.
• Pre-hydrated Hydro-Gels are included in the top of each container to use when planting as they help retain soil moisture, and plants will establish more quickly with less transplant shock. Plants will also survive drought-like conditions and accidental missed waterings better.
• Planting and Care Instruction brochure.
• Catalogs of new and exciting plant brands, such as Garden Debut® and Proven Winners®.

We use and recommend www.dripdepot.com for our irrigation needs, from simple to install micro and drip systems, to commercial grade irrigation parts and supplies.

Interesting Notes About VELVET DUSK™ DOGWOOD

• A Dutch Garden Discovery: Velvet Dusk™ Dogwood was discovered and selected in the Netherlands. The cultivar arose as a naturally occurring mutation of 'Miracle,' giving this shrub a wonderfully unexpected beginning.
• One Shrub, Two Names: The cultivar name is 'Verpaalen3,' while Nightfall is also used as a name for the same plant. Velvet Dusk™ is the First Editions® trade name used for this distinctive dogwood in North America.
• A Little Botanical Family Reunion: Velvet Dusk™ belongs to the white dogwood group, a collection of plants known for colorful stems and seasonal foliage. Related cultivars can look remarkably different, from variegated leaves to intensely colored winter branches.
• Winter Saves the Best for Last: After the leaves drop, the red stems become the main attraction. This makes red-stemmed dogwoods particularly useful for bringing color and structure to the winter garden when much of the landscape has settled into its long seasonal nap.