The leaves appear very similar

==>> one would expect the leaves of all C alba to look the same ... since that is part of the code to IDing the plants in the family ...

that said.. i am sorry i dont know the cultivar differences ...

ken

That's what I figured, gardengirl - I googled images and cannot see much if any difference. One garden centre employee did mention that the Ivory Halo is a more "well behaved" compact shrub.. I think they were implying that Elegantissima is a little more gangly.

If larger size is the only real difference, I will go with the Elegantissima because I am trying to create more privacy along a property border.

Thanks

elegantissima is slightly larger...like twice the size. Also prone to stem cankers. While many of the shrub dogwoods are prone to canker, elegantissima is particularly prone. On the plus side, one of the reasons for planting this (or most of the shrub dogwoods) is winter stem color. since color is best on younger stems, this particular proclivity helps, to some degree.

How large can the Ivory Halo grow? I've read conflicting info - some state 5 x 4, other 7 x 5.. the latter size would do...

Neither is going to grow so many feet and then remain frozen in size, of course. And size representations coming from commercial sources in particular tend to be for what is believed to be representative or typical development - after comparatively short periods of time. So if a kind gets 5 ft. tall, chances are you are going to see it 7 ft. tall at some point.

Baileynurseries.com says this about 'Bailhalo':

A Bailey Nurseries introduction, this compact selection of variegated
dogwood provides beautiful variegated foliage in summer and
attractive red twigs in winter. Its finer textured, fuller, more compact
form lends itself to use in smaller planting areas

and gives the height as 5-6 ft. Add another foot of growth and you're at 6-7 ft.

When I've seen it at outlets here the 'Bailhalo' had a quite apparently more dense appearance, which could easily be seen as a superior attribute.

I often cut my dogwoods right down to 6 inches... about every 3 years. So i doubt it'll every hot 6'+

That's okay though. The denser, fuller characteristic of Bailhalo is very appealing.

thanks

Good day

Which one has the best fall color (Cornus alba 'Elegantissima' or Cornus alba 'Baihalo). I also noticed that some variegated dogwood do not dropped the leave the winter ( which is not very attractive). Which is better looking in the winter.

Since they are essentially just different sized versions of the same shrub, their appearance in fall will also be very similar. Same with the winter stem color. Side by side, you'd be hard pressed to tell them apart.

Thank you for replying