Pruning cornus

I have some new cornus that I just planted last month- can I hard prune them now or should I wait until next year? Many thanks

 

Something else to bear in mind is that, in my experience, cornus Midwinter Fire resents hard pruning, as does elegantissima so it's better to remove just one third of the branches back to the base each year and lightly cut back the remainder. Done well, you'll get the fabulous winter stem colours and also the glorious autumn leaf colours.

Whichever you have it's best, as @Loofah says, to let them settle in for at least one whole growing season before you start the heavy pruning.

 

Thanks all- I have sibirica - not midwinter fire but take all your advice on board- will hold off until next year

 

How did you take the cuttings Loofah? Any tips?

 

@earlydaze Sibirica is my favourite. Unfortunately, the ones I brought here as rooted cuttings form my Belgian garden are not enjoying the Heat and droughts of the last 7 summers.

I wouldn't ever plant Midwinter Fire again. It suckered all over the shop in my Belgian garden and was a PITA.

 

Interesting, I hard prune my Midwinter Fire every year (for 8 years now) and it always grows back beautifully. It does send off a few runners each year which I dig up, pot up and pass on to family.

 

We have a variety of Cornus plants and "when" the sun shines this time of the year they just glow.