Dogwood, Red Osier

Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea)

A spreading shrub for moist borders and stream edges, with red young stems that remain visible after leaf fall. Give it space to form a patch rather than expecting a narrow specimen.

Key Characteristics

A host as well as a fruit source

Spring azure caterpillars use the foliage. The fruits and branching stems add food and nesting opportunities to the same planting.

Specialist bees need host flowers

Dogwoods support specialist Andrena bees that gather pollen from this plant group. Retain flowering stems instead of cutting the entire patch back every year.

Renew a few stems at a time

Young stems give the strongest winter color. Remove selected older stems while leaving others to flower, fruit, and shelter insects.

Product Details

• Native range: Broadly across northern and western North America, with regional populations farther south
• Life cycle: Deciduous woody perennial
• Sun: Full Sun; Part Sun/Shade
• Soil moisture: Medium; Medium-Wet; Wet
• Mature height: 6–9 feet
• Bloom: May–June
• Bloom color: White, Cream
• USDA hardiness zones: 2–7
• Fruit or seed: Pale white to bluish fruit for birds and small mammals.
• Pollination: Plant several genetically different seedlings with overlapping bloom for a fruiting habitat group.

Planting and Ongoing Care

Water the container root ball before planting, water the root zone during establishment, and mulch without covering the crown. Base fertilizer decisions on a soil test.

Remove diseased or dead stems and maintain airflow. Water the soil rather than repeatedly wetting foliage. Avoid insecticides on open flowers. Growth, flowering, and fruiting vary with the individual plant and site.