Cornus sericea (Red Osier Dogwood) Unity Grown

Cornus sericea, also called red osier dogwood or redtwig dogwood, is a deciduous, suckering shrub native to most of North America. Drawing its common name from the attractive red color of its bare branches, redtwig dogwood puts on a brilliant multi-season display throughout the entire year! In the spring, shrubs are covered in clusters of white flowers that attract butterflies and bees, and flowers are followed by striking red fruits in the summer. As the summer progresses to fall, berries persist as leaves turn to showy shades of red and purple, matching the stems. Then, as the fall turns to winter, red osier dogwood drops its leaves, and reveals its bright red stems, which contrast beautifully with the monochromatic winter landscape. 

Cornus sericea can grow to 6-10' tall and wide, making it an especially striking specimen for hedges, wetland restoration projects, and naturalized borders. Versatile, easy to grow, and hardy enough to tolerate poor soils, wet feet, and even the coldest climates, red osier dogwood is an excellent native selection for full sun to partial shade and for anywhere with medium-wet soils. Great for massing, this selection has good red-purple fall color, but to get the best winter color, redtwig dogwood can be cut back around once a year to promote new, brighter growth. In more natural, lower maintenance planting locations, new suckering growth will have the brightest redder tones, and will only add to the plant's border and privacy screen potential. With its dense habit, hardy nature, and ecological value, Cornus sericea is an excellent choice for all manner of plantings from fully naturalized mitigation projects to neatly maintained large hedges.