{"product_id":"creme-de-mint-dogwood","title":"Creme de Mint Dogwood","description":"\u003ch1\u003eA Dwarf Variegated Dogwood with Cool Mint Foliage and Red Winter Stems\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCreme de Mint Dogwood (Cornus alba 'Crmezam') is a compact, refined variegated dogwood — soft mint-green leaves edged in creamy white brighten shade all summer, then drop to reveal red winter stems. At 3–4 feet it's the variegated dogwood for smaller spaces. Whether you're lighting up a shaded border in Edina, filling a small foundation bed in Woodbury, or adding cool color to a rain garden in Maple Grove — Creme de Mint brings two-season interest to compact zone 4b–5a spaces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCreme de Mint Dogwood Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mce-item-table\"\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAttribute\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCornus alba 'Crmezam'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTatarian Dogwood, Variegated Dogwood, Creme de Mint Dogwood\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Height\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–4 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Width\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–4 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate — dwarf, dense, rounded\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSun\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun to part shade. Variegation brightens shade; some afternoon shade prevents leaf scorch.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate to high. Tolerates wet soil — good for rain gardens; prefers consistent moisture.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–7 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a) — fully hardy and reliable here\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVery adaptable — tolerates Minnesota clay-loam and seasonally wet ground.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeciduous — mint-green leaves edged in creamy white; bare red stems for winter color.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to -40°F. Tough and dependable in Minnesota.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerately deer-resistant.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eClusters of creamy-white flowers in spring; red stems through winter.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCreme de Mint Dogwood Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCompact, shade-brightening color\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cool mint-and-cream foliage lights up a small shaded border or foundation bed in Edina or Minnetonka without taking over.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTwo seasons in a small package\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVariegated leaves in summer and red stems in winter on a tidy 3–4 foot plant make it ideal for tight spaces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRain gardens and wet spots\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt tolerates wet soil well, suiting a small rain garden or low, moist corner in Woodbury or Burnsville.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Creme de Mint Dogwood in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFall (late August–early October) is the ideal planting window. Soil is still warm for root development, cool air reduces transplant stress, and the plant gets 6–8 weeks to establish roots before ground freeze (typically mid-November in the Twin Cities).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpring (late April–May, after the ground thaws) is the second-best window, giving the shrub a full season to establish before its first winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoid summer planting (June–August) when possible. Never plant after mid-October or before late April — frozen ground or frost-heaving kills new roots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Creme de Mint Dogwood\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDig wide, not deep — 2–3× the root ball width, same depth as the container.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIt tolerates wet feet; give some afternoon shade in hot spots to keep the variegation crisp.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBackfill with native soil mixed with 20–30% compost; firm gently and water in well.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpace 3 feet apart for a low mass or hedge.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuild a water basin to direct water to the roots; flatten it before winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMulch 2–3 inches with shredded bark, kept off the stems. For brightest stems, remove a few of the oldest stems at the base each spring.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Creme de Mint Dogwood in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFirst Year Watering Schedule\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeeks 1–2: Every 1–2 days, deep and slow (15–25 minutes)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 1–2: Every 3–4 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 3–6: Every 5–7 days; keep evenly moist, especially in sunnier spots\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStop watering 2–3 weeks before ground freeze (typically late October in the Twin Cities metro).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAfter Year One\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEstablished Creme de Mint appreciates steady moisture — water deeply during dry spells. In a rain garden or moist spot it often needs no supplemental water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDrip Irrigation in Minnesota\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf used, place emitters 10–15 inches from the crown for this compact plant and keep the root zone moist. Always winterize the system — blow out the lines before freeze and shut timers off by early October.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow big does it stay?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dwarf 3–4 feet — the variegated dogwood to choose for small spaces, with less pruning than the bigger types.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill the variegated leaves scorch?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn hot, dry, full-sun spots the white margins can scorch; afternoon shade and steady moisture keep the foliage crisp.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it native?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo — it's a Tatarian dogwood (Cornus alba) from Asia, grown for its variegated foliage. For a native option, choose Arctic Fire or Cardinal Dogwood (Cornus sericea).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan it grow in wet soil?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — it tolerates wet soil, suiting small rain gardens and low, moist spots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIvory Halo Dogwood — a larger variegated dogwood with red stems\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eArctic Fire Dogwood — a compact native red-twig\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShop the full Three Timbers Minnesota catalog — zone 4-hardy plants hand-selected for Twin Cities yards\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Creme de Mint Dogwoods Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a low mass or informal hedge, space plants 3 feet apart (its own recommended spacing) so the 3–4-foot mounds touch at maturity:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRun Length\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlants Needed (3 ft spacing)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e13–14 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs an accent, a single plant works in a small foundation bed, but a group of 3 spaced 3 feet apart reads as one bright drift of mint-and-cream in a shaded border.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCreme de Mint Dogwood Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mint-green, cream-edged leaves unfurl, followed by clusters of small creamy-white flowers in late spring.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e The cool variegated foliage is the main event — a tidy 3–4-foot mound that visibly brightens part-shade beds when most shrubs read as plain green.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Leaves drop fairly early, unveiling the stem color that carries the next two seasons.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bare red stems glow against snow — prune out a few of the oldest stems each spring to keep new growth (the reddest wood) coming.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Rain-Garden \/ Wet-Soil   ✔ Shade-Tolerant   ✔ Four-Season Interest\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/ivory-halo-dogwood\"\u003eIvory Halo Dogwood\u003c\/a\u003e — its own suggested partner: the same variegated look at 5–6 feet for the layer behind.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/arctic-fire-dogwood\"\u003eArctic Fire Dogwood\u003c\/a\u003e — a compact NATIVE red-twig that doubles the winter stem show beside it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/cardinal-dogwood\"\u003eCardinal Dogwood\u003c\/a\u003e — U of M-bred cherry-red stems for a taller rain-garden backdrop.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/garden-glow-dogwood\"\u003eGarden Glow Dogwood\u003c\/a\u003e — chartreuse-gold foliage that makes the mint-and-cream variegation pop in part shade.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Creme de Mint Dogwood Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCreme de Mint suits small beds with morning sun and afternoon shade and steady moisture — it shines in part-shade foundations, rain gardens, and moist low corners where its variegation lights up dim spots. It's not a fit for hot, dry, all-day-sun locations (the white leaf margins scorch), and if you want a Minnesota native, choose a Cornus sericea cultivar like Arctic Fire or Cardinal instead — this one is an Asian species grown for its foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#2 Gallon","offer_id":54307937583409,"sku":null,"price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"#5 Gallon","offer_id":54307937616177,"sku":null,"price":35.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/creme-de-mint-dogwood.jpg?v=1779567571","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/creme-de-mint-dogwood","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}