Cornus sericea 'Baileyi' (Redtwig Dogwood) Unity Grown

Cornus sericea 'Baileyi' is an especially showy cultivar of redtwig dogwood, a deciduous, suckering shrub native to most of North America. Named for the attractive red color of its bare branches, 'Baileyi' redtwig dogwood puts on a brilliant multi-season display in the winter landscape with its large, vibrant red stems. This variety's large size of 6-10' tall and wide also makes it an especially striking specimen for hedges and naturalized borders. And beyond its winter color and maroon fall foliage, if you're looking for spring and summer appeal, Cornus sericea 'Baileyi' is no slouch there either. In the spring, bright green foliage ontrasts well against the plant's vibrant red bark and showy white, lightly fragrant flowers. The, in the summer, pollinated flower clusters eventually turn to showy white or blue berries, adding further contrast and attracting a variety of pollinators, birds, and other wildlife.

Cornus sericea is versatile, easy to grow, and is hardy enough to tolerate poor soils, wet feet, and even the coldest climates, though it performs best in full sun to partial shade and medium-wet soils. Great for massing, this selection has good red-purple fall color, but to get the best winter color, 'Baileyi' should be cut back at least once a year to promote new, brigh growth. In more natural planting locations, new suckering growth will have the redder tones, but will only add to the plants dense screen behavior. With its dense habit, hardy nature, and ecological value, Cornus sericea 'Baileyi' is an excellent choice for naturalized screens, larger rain gardens, and wetland restoration projects.