Sgt. Pepper™ Dogwood

Cornus alba 'Verpaalen2' PP34,377

Proven Winners®

Triple-Color Foliage with Pink-Margined Leaves on Burgundy Stems Year-Round
Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 3-7
Grows 4-6 ft Tall, 6-8 ft Wide
Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant
Showy White Blooms in Late Spring

$26¹⁴

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Plant Size

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Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Give this shrub at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight each day to maintain the dark purple-black foliage variegation. While it tolerates partial shade, too little sun causes the leaves to fade to green and reduces the intensity of the red winter stems.
Soil: It thrives in rich, organically amended soil that stays consistently moist but drains well. If you have heavy clay, this plant copes better than most, but mixing in compost will help prevent the roots from sitting in stagnant water.

Watering Requirements

Keep the soil consistently moist during the first season to help the root system establish. Once mature, it prefers regular watering and will suffer from leaf scorch or early dormancy if the soil dries out completely.

Pruning Tips

The signature bright red stems appear on new wood, so prune in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Remove about one-third of the oldest, thickest stems all the way to the ground annually to encourage fresh, colorful shoots and keep the plant looking vibrant.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a granular, balanced fertilizer in early spring just as you see new leaves emerging. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer, as this pushes tender growth that won't have time to harden off before winter.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

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Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Cold hardy, Flowering, Fall Color/Interest, Deer-resistant, Ornamental Berries/Fruit, Attracts pollinators
Hardiness Zone	3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
Sunlight	Full sun, Partial shade
Height	4-6 ft
Width	6-8 ft
Watering Needs	High
Preferred Soil	Clay, Loamy, Peaty, Sandy
Growth Rate	Moderate
Growth Habit	Bushy, Upright
Blooms In	Spring
Flower Color	White
Foliage Color	Green, Red
Suitable Space	Outdoors
Plant Name	Dogwood
Botanical Name	Cornus alba 'Verpaalen2' PP34,377
Species	alba
Cultivar	Verpaalen2
Class	Cornales
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

Are green shrubs boring to you? Is two-tone variegation so last year? Then it's time for a triple-color play shrub! The Sgt. Pepper™ Dogwood bush PP#34,377 (Cornus alba 'Verpaalen2') is a colorful treat for the eyes! Bright green and cream variegation with pink margins for an added touch!

The pointed leaves line the burgundy stems for an added boost of color! Lasting throughout the spring and summer months, accented in the late spring with umbles packed with white star-shaped flowers! Bees and butterflies will adore these blossoms and the sporadic blooms that reappear throughout summer!

These variegated Dogwood shrubs are very cold-hardy throughout USDA planting zones 3 to 7 and once fall sets into your area, get ready for another show of color! Sgt. Pepper™ ignites into fiery hot pink and burgundy! Don't despair when the leaves drop at last, because you'll enjoy the burgundy red stems that contrast against the browns and white of the winter months!

Landscape Application:

These deciduous shrubs grow 4-6 feet in height and can spread 6-8 feet wide. That's a lot of size packed with a ton of color! So Sgt. Pepper™ is a must-have specimen that packs a wallop when you plant one front and center in your front yard on a raised berm! Even a single accent planted at the corner of your home's foundation is enough to get all the looks!

Amplify this effect by planting an informal hedge along the sidewalk to provide a triple-hued property division that brings screening from the street or a busy sidewalk! Heads will turn and traffic will slow down driving past your home!

Tri-colored Sgt. Pepper™ Dogwood are fantastic mixers that boost the color levels of your mixed shrub border, along your home's partly shaded foundation, as fancy privacy hedges, and for bulking up a hedge of snow fencing and windbreaks!

Dramatic Cream & Green Foliage With Pink Margins
Burgundy Stems Shine In Winter
Fiery Burgundy & Hot Pink Fall Color
Late Spring Pollinator Friendly White Blossoms!
Reblooms Until Summer
Gorgeous Specimens, Hedges, Radiant Backdrops & Pretty Privacy

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Dogwood are fantastic shrubs that handle full sun and partial shade, but you will get the best coloration in 6 hours of sun a day. However, in growing zone 7, some gardeners will find their plants burn less when planted in a location with some afternoon shade. Choose a location with well-drained soil that is enriched and mulched to a 3-4 inch depth. These shrubs like regular moisture and can handle higher moisture areas too!

Renewal prune to remove 3-year-old wood to the ground as needed, as this will keep the stems brightly colored, young, and vigorous! Cornus alba tends to sucker but these side growths are easily removed to the ground or mowed around to keep the shrub tidier.

Full Sun & Partial Shade
Well-Drained Enriched Soil
Moderate to High Moisture
Renewal Prune Every 3-5 Years
Deer Are Usually Not A Fan

Make your landscape stand out from the rest! Ditch the greenery and plant the Proven Winners® Sgt. Pepper™ Dogwood Bush in your landscape and enjoy four-season color and interest! Now available at NatureHills.com!

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Growing Zones 3-7

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Frequently Asked Questions

What planting zones is Sgt. Pepper™ Dogwood hardy in?

Sgt. Pepper™ Dogwood is cold-hardy in USDA planting zones 3 to 7. This wide hardiness range makes it suitable for most northern and temperate climates. Plant it in early spring or fall for best establishment in your zone.

Is Sgt. Pepper™ Dogwood a fast-growing or slow-growing tree?

Sgt. Pepper™ Dogwood is a moderate-growing shrub that reaches 4-6 feet tall and 6-8 feet wide at maturity. Most gardeners see good establishment and growth within 2-3 seasons in zones 3-7. Plan spacing accordingly since it fills out nicely once established - available at naturehills.com.

Can Sgt. Pepper™ Dogwood be shipped to my location safely?

Sgt. Pepper™ Dogwood ships well as a hardy shrub suited for USDA zones 3-7. This cold-tolerant variety handles transplant stress better than most ornamental shrubs. Check your hardiness zone and order during spring or fall for best establishment results.

Is Sgt. Pepper™ Dogwood susceptible to anthracnose or other diseases?

Sgt. Pepper™ Dogwood shows good disease resistance as a hardy Cornus alba cultivar in zones 3-7. While dogwoods can occasionally face anthracnose in humid conditions, proper spacing for its 6-8 foot spread and avoiding overhead watering help prevent issues.

Will Sgt. Pepper™ Dogwood tolerate clay soil or does it need amended soil?

Sgt. Pepper™ Dogwood tolerates clay soil well, though it performs best with some drainage improvement. Like most Cornus alba varieties, it's quite adaptable to various soil conditions in zones 3-7. Add compost to heavy clay for optimal growth, available at naturehills.com.

Sgt. Pepper™ Dogwood

Cornus alba 'Verpaalen2' PP34,377