Phonetic: KOR-nus ser-IK-ee-uh
#1 Pot - 3-4' Shrub
Red-osier Dogwood is best grown in organically rich, fertile, consistently moist soils in full sun to part shade. It is an upright spreading, suckering shrub that is tolerant of a wide range of soils, including swampy or boggy conditions. Reddish stems turn bright red in winter and are particularly showy against a snowy backdrop. Trim roots with a spade and promptly remove root suckers if colonial spread is undesired. Best stem color occurs on young stems so consider pruning out old stems. Leaves have shades of red to orange and eventually fading to purple in autumn. Tiny, fragrant, white flowers appear in flat-topped clusters in late spring. Flowers give way to clusters of whitish drupes in summer. Fruit is quite attractive to birds. It is the host plant for the spring/summer Azure butterflies.
- Hardiness Zone: 3-7
- Native Northeast Region: USDA Database
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
- Flower Color: White
- Bloom Time: May, June
- Soil Type: Moist to wet
- Mature Plant Size: 6-9' Height, 7-10' Width
- Plant Spacing: 9'
- Host Plant: Azure
- Attracts: Butterflies, Bees, Birds
- Advantages: Ornamental, Basket-making
- Landscape Uses: Hedges. Erosion control, Pond side
- Companion Plants: Northern Flag Iris, Obedient Plant, Swamp Rose Mallow
