Red Osier Dogwood

Cornus stolonifera, formerly Cornus sericea

Common names: Red Osier Dogwood, Red Twig Dogwood, Redstem Dogwood, Western Dogwood, Creek Dogwood, California Dogwood, Gutter Tree

About Cornus stolonifera

Red Osier Dogwood is a popular garden shrub. See Dogwood Shrub for more detailed information.

Description

This deciduous shrub is valued for its bright red stems in the winter. Some varieties have orange or yellow stems. The fruit and flowers are white. This shrub grows over eighteen inches annually, reaching a mature height and spread of about eight feet.

Scientific Classification

Kingdom - Plantae
Division - Magnoliophyta
Class - Magnoliopsida
Order - Cornales
Family - Cornaceae
Genus - Cornus

Cultivation

Stem color is more vivid when the shrub is grown in full sun, but it will tolerate some shade. Many varieties are available commercially.

Uses

Redtwig dogwood is grown for its vivid winter color in hedges, foundation plantings, and as specimen plants.

Varieties to Grow

'Alleman's Compact' - height 4 feet
'Cardinal'
'Isanti' - mound-shaped, slow growing, compact
'Isanti Dwarf' - smaller than 'Isanti'
'Kelseyi' – height three feet, spread three feet
'Midwinter Fire' - winter stem coloration is a combination of red, yellow and orange
'Pumila' - dwarf, new growth tipped in red
'Flaviramea' - Yellow Twigged Dogwood - yellow stems in winter
'Silver and Gold' - yellow twigs in winter; green foliage edged with white
'White Gold' - yellow twigs in winter; white and green leaves

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• Category:Shrubs
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• Dogwood Shrub
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