Overview & Description

The Little Rebel Dogwood (Cornus alba ‘Jefreb’) is a compact, slow-growing deciduous shrub prized for its multi-season appeal. In late spring, clusters of creamy white flowers appear at branch ends, attracting pollinators. Summer brings dense, crisp green leaves that may develop maroon or burgundy tinges in autumn. Its most dramatic feature is the smooth bark on young stems, which turns a vivid blood-red in winter, providing striking colour contrast against snow. The growth habit is broader than tall, with dense branching and an oblate shape.

Growth & Size

This variety exhibits a rounded, bushy, and compact growth habit. It typically reaches a mature size of about 3 to 4 feet in both height and spread. It is a slow-growing shrub that can live for approximately 20 years under ideal conditions.

Additional Notes

It blooms in late spring. Exceptionally hardy to Zone 2, it is adaptable to a wide range of soils, tolerates both dry conditions and occasional standing water, and thrives in full sun to partial shade. Best stem colour develops in full sun. For optimal stem colour, prune by removing older stems in spring. It is deer resistant, low-maintenance, and has no significant negative characteristics. An excellent choice for mass plantings, borders, low hedges, foundation plantings, rain gardens, and winter interest.