Cornus - Arctic Fire - has anyone planted in Vancouver area?

hello - I am looking to plant some easier care - with winter interest - shrubbery - at a smaller scale.

I have only sometimes deer - ie sleeping on the lawn! (or on top of the tulips they've just eaten)

I have researched and am considering Cornus - Arctic Fire.

Has anyone out near the beaches (ocean) in Greater Vancouver had experience with this plant - they are at least 20 dollars each at the nursery store and I need approx 6 of them to make a nice design pattern, so that's why I ask.

the max spread I want is 3 feet - the height max is 5 feet. I realize the description on the wholesaler site - I just want to make sure this is accurate for a Vancouver beach climate (West Van / Point Grey / Kerrisdale / UBC)

http://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/3009/arctic-fire-red-twig-dogwood/

thank you.

 

Deer often love the new leaves of "twig" dogwoods in garden plantings. Like all shrubs this kind will not grow to a certain height and then stop growing - sizes given by commercial literature and other references that do not list measurements of specific examples are representative approximations, with any given outcome varying with site conditions and time frames involved. And nurseries in particular do tend to understate growth potential, except where it is explicitly stated that heights given are for comparatively short periods like 10 years. An important additional point about this item in particular is that the wild species from which the named selection is derived tends to spread to make thickets - you may not be able to count on a planting of these remaining as discrete tufts at all.

 

thank you for your wise input

so - basically, it sounds like I am planting thornless salmonberries! (I joke on that - tho they are pretty and the birds like the fruit)

I will take your advice in to serious consideration -

design GOAL - I am trying to step up from a ground level bed that is close to house - up another 4 feet (Allen Block wall) - then another 4 feet to car park area - our coast cottage is on a slope (not surprising out there) - very steep - and I don't like looking at the retaining walls.

I thought of Rhodo's - tho I think they spread too wide and need constant care it seems (we have restricted summer water) -

I already have some native salal and sword fern.

I gave up the roses (too sharp next to a small patio) ....

I look at every condo garden downtown Vcvr and local mall parking lot for easy-care (and year round interest) ideas for compact year-round shrub interest next to retaining walls.

thank you

 

If there is salt air blowing in during winter storms, poor sandy soil or an inability to water at key times such environmental restraints will provide a filter that may be more restrictive or important than plant visual characteristics - maybe look at lists of what will grow there first and then from there select what also has desired size, shape and color etc.

This doesn't address beach conditions but otherwise is a locally produced plant selection guide presenting what are supposed to be superior plants:

http://www.greatplantpicks.org/