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Redosier Dogwood

Cornus sericea


Hardiness Zones: 2 - 7   View Map
  • Features vibrant red stems that make a bold statement in the wintertime landscape
  • Produces attractive clusters of white flowers in mid- to late spring
  • Yields pea-sized white drupes that mature in late summer to early fall
  • Is easy to transplant
  • Needs to be pruned only once a year
  • Can be cut back to the ground regularly for the red color of the younger stems to be more prevalent
  • Features opposite, simple leaves, ovate to oblong-lancelolate in shape and 2–5" in length; the medium to dark green summer color changes to a ruddy red or purple in the fall
  • Has slow horizontal growth
  • Grows in a rounded shape
  • Can be planted 3–4' apart to make a hedge

Tree Details

Shape

Rounded

Growth Speed

Fast

Shipping Height

2’-3’

Scientific Name

Cornus sericea

Mature Height

7'-9'

Mature Spread

N/A-10'

Highlights

The redosier dogwood is loved by gardeners, landscapers, and homeowners for its hardiness and versatility. It can grow in a myriad of conditions, including wet soil. Its thicket-forming habit makes it a great hedge option. And the fibrous root system provides effective erosion control on banks and slopes.

The biggest selling point, though, is the shrub’s deep red stems. This vibrant hue remains through winter, creating a pop of color in the snowy, gray months.

Sun Preference

Full Sun, Partial Sun/Shade

Soil Preference

Acidic, Moist, Alkaline, Wet

History/Lore

The redosier dogwood is native to North America, with a range that extends over most of the United States from Newfoundland to Mexico, California to Virginia. It is also known as red dogwood, redstem dogwood, and red willow.

Native Americans use the inner bark in tobacco mixtures in the sacred pipe ceremony. Some tribes ate the sour berries while others made arrow shafts, bows, stakes and other tools from the branches and shoots. The leaves, bark and roots were used to make medicines.

Redosier dogwood is also used for basket weaving. If the bark is gathered in the early spring, it will retain its deep red color when dried.

Wildlife Value

The redosier dogwood provides dense cover for wildlife. The white berries are eaten by at least 18 species of birds including ruffled grouse, bobwhite quail, wild turkey and gray catbird. The twigs and foliage are browsed by elk, deer, moose, rabbits and chipmunks.

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