Cornus 'Venus' Experience

Anybody growing Cornus 'Venus' aka 'KN30-8' from the Rutgers breeding program? I have been growing two since 2007 ( I planted 1 in 2006 and 1 in 2007). Both tree's grew vigorously at first. However, two years ago one started to color very early and drop most of it's leaves. I thought maybe it wasn't getting enough water so last year I made sure it was soaker watered on a weekly basis. It continued it's decline and this winter I see no bloom buds and considerable dead wood. Even worse the 2006 planting, which is in another part of the garden, in a very prominent spot, is showing sign's of the same condition. Unfortunately I didn't take any pix but I can say there was little or no spotting. What are other members experience with 'Venus"?

Thanks
Mike

Maybe you have a graft problem, or some insect like a borer has attacked your plant(s).

Images would help. You can post one at a time, each time you reply to your post here.

I have one 'Venus' at the Valley, along with one 'Starlight'. They are both growing fine, though I don't think that they had the best start from grafts compared to other grafted plants I've grown.

Hey, VV. Long time.
Do you have pics of your dogwoods or more info about them from your point of view? I've been interested in them for a long time.

Here's a 2009 (second year in the ground) image of Starlight™ at the Valley.

This was a 5G plant about 5' tall, with two stems at about 3 feet. The graft looked pretty poor, and it was planted too deep in the soil mass. I'm expecting it to take several years to establish properly, but I'm happy with its performance so far given the lousy start in life.

It was a gift from my mom, so save the crits.

Here is a same day (May 2009, just planted) image of Venus™ at the Valley.

Pretty much the same story with this plant - all the improper structure/conditions, plus fresh cicada damage from 2008 - but it has the advantage of being in a partner planting with many viburnums and winterberries. Kind of like a trauma patient in a ward full of attractive attentive nurses.

It had a prolific bud set when I got it, and has been a bit more shy to bloom since as it has settled into its new home. It had an awful graft condition - it looked exactly like weedeater damage - so I expect a couple more years of healthy growth to close that wound will be necessary before it hits full stride.

So, while this information is solely about Starlight™ and Venus™ dogwood performance here at the Valley - let not your heart be troubled.

I believe these to be exceptional plants for home landscapes anywhere that Cornus florida and Cornus kousa can be grown well, with maybe just a smidge less northerly hardiness (to zone 5). The much larger blooms and robust growth potential all point to a winning presentation. Who could not wish to grow a dogwood with flowers 5-7 inches across?

These gems are the product of Rutgers University's Dr. Elwin Orton, as fine a gentleman and plantsman as you'll ever meet. He is well known for his work with the genus Ilex and with Cornus. These two plants have been in evaluation for decades, so there should be little worry that they are worthy of landscape use.

Great info! I hope it won't be too long before I can afford a Rutgersensis. Thanks. I really like the blooms in the second pic. Beautiful!

If I haven't abused the two of these too badly this past year, maybe they'll shine like the celestial beings they are named after come this spring.

I'll post the results.

I hope you don't forget. I'm anxious to see it.

Whilst laying home on my deathbed (OK - slight exaggeration from the model patient), I dredged up some more images for those not yet impressed.

Cornus x Starlight™ again...