The one I have I'm not sure of the name but I think it's forums/ dog wood?
I have found cornus to grow very easy from cuttings , I'm not sure the correct time for cuttings I stick them in anytime .I can get you some cuttings growing from mine ,post them to you when they have decent roots if your interested .
I will try and upload a photo of them too once I get all my technical hitches sorted.
My cornus is very effective this time of the year the bark it is a three colour mix. The top is a lovely deep salmony red,then it's a light apricot beige colour then it is topped by one inch clusters of tiny flowers in yellow. No leaves this time of year it is specially colourful in the damp mornings,and in the wet weather.
I would plant another silver birch for continuity and they aren't too heavy. I would plant a mixed hedge from the shed as Gemma suggested and the bulbs and flowers that Dove suggested. Anemone Blanda would be pretty too. But I would not have a pond, too many leaves would fall in, too shaded, the ground is probably full of roots so it would be hard to dig. I agree with Nut about the conifers, especially that rather dense looking one in line with the roof ridge tiles in the second photo.
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
Another cornus fan here, I have three of the red stemmed ones and have just bought a black one last week. It was from wyevale and all of their shrubs are half price at the moment.
Thank you for your kind advice/offers everyone, much appreciated! I reckon what I need to do first is wait for the weather to get a bit above 0 so I can assess the soil - there are a few low tree stumps in the area that has been cleared and I've got a feeling that the soil is going to be compacted/full of roots/just generally difficult to work with. Dogwood is definitely going to be included as I think it would look good - I'm guessing I would need to wait until the frost/snow clears up before I start planting? Thanks for the offer Cangranmafixit - would you be able to post a photo? I'd love to plant some close to the silver birch, but again the roots may be an issue.
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I pin cornus stems done to increase by layering, the patch gets bigger rapidly.
That's a potentially nice little piece of woodland but I'd have to remove those alien conifers
In the sticks near Peterborough
Is dog wood the cornus ?
The one I have I'm not sure of the name but I think it's forums/ dog wood?
I have found cornus to grow very easy from cuttings , I'm not sure the correct time for cuttings I stick them in anytime .I can get you some cuttings growing from mine ,post them to you when they have decent roots if your interested .
I will try and upload a photo of them too once I get all my technical hitches sorted.
My cornus is very effective this time of the year the bark it is a three colour mix. The top is a lovely deep salmony red,then it's a light apricot beige colour then it is topped by one inch clusters of tiny flowers in yellow. No leaves this time of year it is specially colourful in the damp mornings,and in the wet weather.
If I've tempted you
Let me know etc
I would plant another silver birch for continuity and they aren't too heavy. I would plant a mixed hedge from the shed as Gemma suggested and the bulbs and flowers that Dove suggested. Anemone Blanda would be pretty too. But I would not have a pond, too many leaves would fall in, too shaded, the ground is probably full of roots so it would be hard to dig. I agree with Nut about the conifers, especially that rather dense looking one in line with the roof ridge tiles in the second photo.
Swap a rooted cornus/dogwood for a buddlea Gran?
Another cornus fan here, I have three of the red stemmed ones and have just bought a black one last week. It was from wyevale and all of their shrubs are half price at the moment.
Yes of course Lyn
, I will put some in water tomorrow maybe they will root like this, will also pot some in compost And keep my fingers crossed 
Hi Charliebot , not heard of a black one .which one is it ? Your red stem ones are they a deep red sorta burgundy colour?
Thank you for your kind advice/offers everyone, much appreciated!
I reckon what I need to do first is wait for the weather to get a bit above 0 so I can assess the soil - there are a few low tree stumps in the area that has been cleared and I've got a feeling that the soil is going to be compacted/full of roots/just generally difficult to work with. Dogwood is definitely going to be included as I think it would look good - I'm guessing I would need to wait until the frost/snow clears up before I start planting? Thanks for the offer Cangranmafixit - would you be able to post a photo? I'd love to plant some close to the silver birch, but again the roots may be an issue.