Troubleshooting
Dogwood problems — and how to fix them
Dogwood (Cornus sanguinea) is generally low-drama, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Cornus anthracnose (Discula destructiva)
Causes leaf blotching, shoot dieback, and cankers; more severe on stressed plants — maintain vigour through hard pruning and good soil drainage, and remove infected stems promptly.
Woolly aphid colonies on young shoots
Dense clusters of aphids on new growth cause curling and distortion; knock off with a strong jet of water or apply an insecticidal soap spray in spring before populations build.
Prevent dogwood problems before they start
Most dogwood issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Dogwood problems — FAQ
Why is my dogwood cornus anthracnose (discula destructiva)?
Causes leaf blotching, shoot dieback, and cankers; more severe on stressed plants — maintain vigour through hard pruning and good soil drainage, and remove infected stems promptly.
Why is my dogwood woolly aphid colonies on young shoots?
Dense clusters of aphids on new growth cause curling and distortion; knock off with a strong jet of water or apply an insecticidal soap spray in spring before populations build.