Red Osier Dogwood

Cornus sericea

Available Sizes
Size Retail Price
Mature Height: 8 feet
Mature Width: 10 feet
Hardiness Zone: 2a
Growth Rate: fast
Sunlight: full sun to partial shade
Moisture: dry to wet
Salt Tolerant: No
Flower Color: cream
Foliage Color: green
Fall Color: brick red
Bloom Time: in late spring
Deer Resistant: No
Native: Yes
Edible: No
Evergreen: No
Plant Type: shrub
Botanical Classification: shrub
Description:
One of the best general purpose shrubs for northern landscapes, very hardy; white flowers are followed by showy white berries; good fall color, brilliant red stems are highlighted by winter snow; can grow quite large, tends to sucker

Ornamental Features

Red Osier Dogwood has clusters of creamy white flowers at the ends of the branches in late spring. It has green deciduous foliage. The pointy leaves turn an outstanding brick red in the fall. It produces white berries in late summer. The red branches are extremely showy and add significant winter interest.

Landscape Attributes

Red Osier Dogwood is a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with a more or less rounded form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This shrub will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and can be pruned at anytime. It is a good choice for attracting birds to your yard. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

  • Suckering

Red Osier Dogwood is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Mass Planting
  • Hedges/Screening
  • General Garden Use
  • Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens

Planting & Growing

Red Osier Dogwood will grow to be about 8 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 10 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 20 years.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It is an amazingly adaptable plant, tolerating both dry conditions and even some standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This species is native to parts of North America.

Plant Details

Botanical NameCornus sericea
Plant Typeshrub
Botanical Classificationshrub
Height8 feet
Spread10 feet
Growth Ratefast
Hardiness Zone2a
Sunlightfull sun to partial shade
Moisturedry to wet
Flower Colorcream
Bloom Timein late spring
Foliage Colorgreen
Fall Colorbrick red

Special Features

Native

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