Alleman's Compact Red Twig Dogwood

Alleman's Compact is a selection of Cornus sericea with cream-white spring flowers, white fruit, and red winter stems. Published size estimates vary: McKay Nursery describes a compact plant around 4–5 feet tall and wide, while the Royal Horticultural Society gives a broader 1.5–2.5 metre range under the synonym Cornus alba 'Alleman's Compact'. [McKay Nursery](https://www.mckaynursery.com/allemans-compact-dogwood) and [RHS](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/229829/cornus-alba-allemans-compact/details) support the exact selection and its seasonal traits. ## Landscape Use This rounded, compact red-twig dogwood fits shrub borders and informal hedges, with winter stems adding color after leaves fall. The broader RHS size range means it can occupy more space in favorable conditions, so leave room for a mature multi-stemmed shrub. ## Growing Conditions Grow in full sun or partial shade and ordinary garden soil. The RHS lists clay, loam, or sand and moist but well-drained to well-drained conditions; McKay notes that dogwoods tolerate and prefer wetter soil. Avoid letting new plantings dry while roots establish. ## Maintenance Renew the red stems by removing roughly one-quarter to one-third of the oldest canes in late winter or early spring. This encourages fresh young growth without requiring the entire shrub to be cut back at once.