Compact shrub dogwood--Bailhalo cultivar

#The new cultivar was discovered during 1983 while growing in a production field of the Argenteo-Marginata cultivar (non-patented in the United States) of Cornus alba located near St. Paul, Minn. The Argenteo-Marginata cultivar of variegated shrub dogwood is believed to trace its origin to Europe. I was attracted to a single plant of the new cultivar because of its distinctive appearance. The new cultivar is believed to be a whole plant mutation of unknown causation. Had I not discovered and preserved this new cultivar it would have been lost to mankind. Softwood cuttings were propagated from the original plant during the summer of 1983, and the original plant was placed into a scion block during the spring of 1984.

#It was found that the following combination of characteristics is exhibited by the new cultivar of Cornus alba:

#(a) exhibits a full and rounded growth habit,

#The accompanying photographs show plants and plant parts of the cultivar Cornus alba as depicted in color as true as is reasonably possible to make the same in color illustrations of this character. The plants were grown at or near St. Paul, Minn., U.S.A.

#FIG. 1 illustrates during the summer the original plant of the new cultivar. Such plant was transplanted during 1990 to near the offices of Assignee where studies of its characteristics were continued. The full and rounded growth habit is apparent.

#FIG. 2 illustrates during the winter the same original plant of the new cultivar as shown in FIG. 1. The attractive fine red-brown twigs are apparent.

#The following description of the new cultivar of Cornus alba is based upon the observation of the original plant being grown at or near St. Paul, Minn., U.S.A., as well as upon an observation of its progeny which were asexually reproduced by softwood cuttings and growing near the same location.

#The new cultivar clearly exhibits a more compact growth habit, a reduced rate of growth, and a finer branching character than the parent Argenteo-Marginata cultivar. When typical internode lengths of two-year-old field grown plants were measured on Oct. 21, 1992, it was found that those of the new cultivar commonly measure approximately 11/2 to 13/4 inches, while those of the new Argenteo-Marginata cultivar commonly measure approximately 21/2 to 3 inches.

#It additionally was observed on Oct. 21, 1992 that the bark of the new cultivar was brighter and darker than that of the Argenteo-Marginata cultivar. More specifically, the bark of the new cultivar was somewhat shiny (as illustrated) and generally corresponds to Greyed-Purple Group 185A of the R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England. In contrast, the bark of the Argenteo-Marginata cultivar was duller in appearance (as illustrated) and generally corresponds to Greyed-Purple Group 185B.