Maybe blue fescue, if you want a grass. Since the dogwood is almost luminous, it contrasts well with cool-looking plants like blue conifers, blue flowers. Varuous small blue bulbs come up early enough to show against it, before it leafs out.

Carol, I have mine placed in front of a slender Hinoki cypress but BEHIND an assortment of herbaceaous perennials and other deciduous shrubs. I can tell you the only time this plant looks good is out of leaf - it's foliage is the worst I've seen on any shrub dogwood. It does look good contrasted against the deep green of the Hinoki in winter, though.

what a wonderful shrub. such a highlight of our winter gardens here in boston area. we have them backed and flanked by various green and blue conifers and solid fence.- where it shows off very well. we don't notice it rest of year so you can plant anything with it perennials wise. we happen to have cimicifuga and monarda in front of one of ours, and a niobe clematis growing up it.

Thanks for the ideas -- I agree, gardengal, the foliage is pretty boring and I've debated whether or not I want to keep the shrubs -- and then in winter I'm enchanted again. So I keep hanging onto them. I'm hoping the rest of the garden will be more of the focus in summer with good structure and textures and some color so I'm spending a lot of time on the planning stages and trying to get just the right look (at least to my eye) for the space.

More suggestions welcome, of course :)

Possibly rich dark green background of Hinoki might make dogwood summer leaves look more anemic, whereas bluish conifers could set them off. Think of it as a yellowleaf form and place accordingly. The autumn foliage is definitely a nice yellow, so regardless of how it looks in summer a backdrop that makes a good setting for yellow would be the ticket with this plant. Brighter yellow of fall color would certainly stand out against Hinoki.

By the way, there are two of these types: 'Midwinter Fire' (= 'Beteramsii'?) and 'Winter Beauty' ('Anny', 'Anny's', 'Magic Flame', 'Winter Flame'). According to Cappiello/Shadow (DOGWOODS, Timber Press) they differ in 'Midwinter Fire' being a less red plant with more horsepower, making a taller, suckerous specimen that spreads to form a thicket.

Hi all, I have on of these delightful plants in my garden. We planted it 1 month ago and have watered it religiously. It was planted by a local company with an excellent reputation so we hope it was done properly. Unfortunately it seems to be struggling. We do have pine trees in the garden and pigeons so that may have an effect but we try to keep them cleared. You can see a picture here www.atnet.co.uk/midwinterfire.html

Many thanks, Alan

Here is a link that might be useful: Plant problem photos

I'd check on the situation at the root. Maybe the potting soil is dry, resisting water, which is rolling off instead of soaking in.

What about erica darleyensis 'Kramers Rote' it is winter blooming and sold in the trade as red but is actually a deep pink that I think would combine well. What I appreciate the most about it is that it has no problem with standing the deciduous shade of summer. I also love the green/blue color of the plant. My only hesitation would be if your soil does not drain well. kt

'Rote' means 'red', of course. Nurseries here sell it as 'Kramer's Red', although the original name should be used instead. A cultivar name doesn't change every time a plant enters another language area, anymore than a person's name does.