Variegated Tatarian Dogwood

About this plant

Cornus alba 'Ivory Halo' is a truly exceptional shrub, prized for its distinctive variegated leaves that feature brilliant green centers edged with creamy white. This striking foliage maintains its appeal from spring through fall, adding a fresh, elegant touch to any garden design. As autumn progresses, the leaves take on subtle pink and purple hues before falling. But the display doesn't end there! Once the leaves drop, 'Ivory Halo' reveals its dazzling red-stemmed branches, providing vital color and architectural interest to the winter landscape. These vivid stems are particularly impactful when planted in groups or against a snowy backdrop, making it a standout choice for year-round beauty. Easy to grow and adaptable, 'Ivory Halo' is a robust shrub perfect for adding consistent visual appeal. Its compact size makes it suitable for a variety of garden applications, from accent plantings to mixed borders and foundation plantings, offering both beauty and resilience.

Installation timing

When we're in season, outside of the winter months, our goal is to get your plants installed within about two weeks. That window gives us enough time to secure your plants from our supplier and find a spot on the schedule. Throughout the process we stay in touch through notifications and your existing client portal on the main A Cut Above website, which is separate from this landscaping plants shop.

Care & maintenance

Requires minimal maintenance once established. Prune in late winter or early spring to encourage new, colorful stem growth. Remove any dead or crossing branches. Can be cut back hard every 2-3 years to rejuvenate. Prefers consistently moist, well-drained soil.

Watering suggestions

Proper watering is the single most important factor in your plant's survival after installation. Newly installed plants have a limited root system and rely on you for consistent moisture while they establish.

• First 2 weeks: Water deeply every day (or every other day in cooler, wet weather), soaking the root ball and surrounding soil.
• Weeks 3–12: Water deeply 2–3 times per week, adjusting for rain, heat, and soil drainage.
• After establishment: Water deeply about once a week during the growing season, and more often in extreme heat or drought.
• How to check: Stick a finger 2–3 inches into the soil near the roots — if it's dry, it's time to water. Deep, less-frequent watering encourages strong roots; shallow daily sprinkles do not.
• Avoid: Overwatering (soggy, waterlogged soil) is just as harmful as underwatering and can drown roots.

Watering needs vary by plant, season, soil, and exposure. Because proper watering is the customer's responsibility after installation, please make sure you understand and can follow these suggestions before ordering.

Good to know: plants and trees purchased from and installed by A Cut Above include a one-year limited warranty from the date of installation. Because plant survival depends heavily on proper watering and care after installation, losses caused by improper care, neglect, animal or chemical damage, or extreme weather are not covered, and we must be given the chance to inspect a struggling plant before it's removed or replaced. Coverage is one replacement per plant. Read our warranty info.