Dogwood, Red Osier

Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea)

Red Osier Dogwood is one of North America's most versatile native shrubs, celebrated for its brilliant crimson stems, creamy white flower clusters, and exceptional value to wildlife. Found naturally along streams, wetlands, and moist woodland edges, this vigorous shrub provides year-round interest while stabilizing soils and supporting an impressive diversity of birds, pollinators, and beneficial insects. Its ability to thrive in challenging wet sites makes it an indispensable species for rain gardens, streambank restoration, native hedgerows, and regenerative landscapes.

Key Characteristics

A wildlife powerhouse throughout the seasons
Flat-topped clusters of creamy white flowers bloom in late spring and early summer, attracting a wide diversity of native bees, hoverflies, predatory wasps, and butterflies. By late summer, abundant white berries ripen and become an important food source for over 50 species of birds, including Cedar Waxwings, American Robins, Gray Catbirds, Wood Thrushes, Ruffed Grouse, and Northern Flickers. The dense branching also provides valuable nesting habitat and winter cover for songbirds and small mammals.

Brilliant red stems brighten the winter landscape
After leaf drop, young stems develop vivid crimson to deep burgundy coloration that stands out dramatically against snow and dormant landscapes. The brightest color occurs on new growth, making periodic renewal pruning an excellent way to maintain vibrant winter displays while encouraging vigorous regeneration.

Excellent for streambanks and erosion control
Red Osier Dogwood naturally spreads by underground stolons, forming dense colonies that effectively stabilize streambanks, pond edges, drainageways, and slopes. Its extensive root system helps reduce erosion while filtering runoff, making it one of the premier native shrubs for riparian restoration, bioswales, and rain gardens.

An adaptable shrub for regenerative landscapes
Thriving in moist to wet soils while tolerating occasional flooding, Red Osier Dogwood integrates beautifully into food forest edges, native hedgerows, silvopasture systems, and pollinator plantings. It pairs well with Winterberry Holly, Buttonbush, Elderberry, Joe Pye Weed, Blue Flag Iris, and native sedges to create resilient plant communities that provide year-round habitat and seasonal interest.

Product Details

• Native range: Most of North America
• Plant life cycle: Perennial shrub
• Sun requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil requirements: Medium-wet to wet
• Mature height: 6–10 feet
• Bloom time: May – June
• Bloom color: Creamy white
• USDA Hardiness zones: 2–7

Red Osier Dogwood performs best in consistently moist soils but readily adapts to average garden conditions once established. For the most vivid winter stem color, remove a portion of the oldest stems every few years to stimulate fresh growth. Whether planted in rain gardens, along streams, in wildlife hedgerows, or as part of a layered native landscape, this exceptional shrub delivers beauty, erosion control, and outstanding ecological benefits in every season.