
Young stems have the best red stem color.Īlthough pruning is not required, many gardeners choose to remove 20 to 25% of the aged stems in the first spring each year to encourage the growth of new stems that will display the best red color.ĮNVIRONMENTAL – Not known to be invasive. Suppose colonial spread is undesirable, trim roots with a spade and remove root suckers as soon as possible. It can resist a broad range of soil conditions, including swampy or boggy areas.
#Twig dogwood full
Combine with yellow twig dogwoods for a bicolor winter stem display.ĬARE – Grown best in organically rich, medium to wet soils in full sun to partial shade. Although not required, annual prunings will promote the best stem color.Ĭlusters of tiny white flowers in spring give way to bluish-white fruits, which are attractive to birds.ĭark green leaves turn reddish-purple in autumn. SCIENTIFIC NAME – Cornus sericea ‘Cardinal’ĭescription: This dogwood is primarily grown for its salmon-red stems, which intensify in color as winter sets in. It works well with evergreens or a yellow-branched dogwood cultivar called “Flaviramia.” If a large shrub isn’t appropriate for your landscape, there is a dwarf cultivar called “Arctic Fire” that grows 3 to 5 feet tall.ĭogwood has few pests and diseases, but it is susceptible to leaf and twig blights, canker and leaf spots, and the occasional scale, leaf miners, and bagworms. Red twig dogwood may be used as a specimen plant in the landscape or as part of a shrub border or informal hedge. Flowers draw insects, which in turn attract birds. The spring azure butterfly uses it as a larval host. These can be dug up and replanted.Īs a native plant, dogwood provides a habitat for various birds and insects, not to mention photo opportunities when birds perch on its red winter branches. Some of the lower stems may be partially buried in the soil, and developing roots along the buried stems. Stem cuttings are a simple method of propagation for red twig dogwood. If the plant becomes overgrown and out of control, you can rejuvenate it by cutting it down to about 9 inches in length. Because older stems stop turning red in the winter, some gardeners Every year in early spring prune a few of the older branches at ground level. Remove about a third of the stems at ground level every year. The primary goal of pruning red twig dogwoods is to remove the old stems that no longer show good winter color. Annual pruning is essential to keep the brilliant colors of the twigs. The red branches lose their bright color and turn gray in the spring. Red twig dogwood care is minimal except for pruning.

They thrive in moist soil and can endure in wetlands.

The leaves are elliptical with distinct veins.ĭogwoods prefer full sun but will grow in light shade as well.

The flowers ripen into green, pea-sized beans that ripen to white in the fall. Flat umbrella-comparable clusters of minor white, aromatic flowers come out in May or June. Red twig dogwood (Cornus sericea) is a transitory shrubbery with a simple form that rises 6 to 12 feet tall. SHARES Fall Favorite That Spruces Up Any Snowy Winter
