Dogwood 'Red Osier'
Dogwood 'Red Osier'

Dogwood 'Red Osier'

Willowbrook Nurseries Inc.

$29.99
Title

A true four-season marvel for the Canadian landscape, this native shrub is most famous for its stunning, blood-red stems that provide a fiery contrast against a backdrop of white winter snow. In spring and summer, it transforms into a lush, green sanctuary filled with delicate, flat-topped clusters of creamy-white flowers. As the air cools, the foliage blushes into deep purples and maroons, often accompanied by ornamental white berries that look like tiny pearls scattered among the branches.
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Plant Details

Mature Size:

6–10 feet H x W

Zone:

2-7

Watering:

High

Foliage Type:

Deciduous

Growth Rate:

Fast

Light:

Full Sun/Part Sun

Plant Profile

Common Names:

Red-Osier Dogwood, Red Twig Dogwood, Kinnikinnick, Creek Dogwood

Scientific Name:

Cornus stolonifera (syn. Cornus sericea)

Type:

Ornamental Deciduous Shrub / Native Shrub

Growth Details:

  • Mature Size: 6–10 feet tall with a similar spread.
  • Growth Habit: Vigorous, multi-stemmed, and thicket-forming.
  • Form: Upright, spreading, and rounded.
  • Growth Rate: Fast.
  • Longevity: Approximately 20 years.

Environmental Needs:

  • Exposure: Full sun to partial shade.
  • Soil Preferences: Thrives in moist, fertile, organic-rich soil.
  • Soil Tolerance: Highly adaptable; tolerates heavy clay, alkaline pH, and even temporary standing water.
  • Watering: High water use; ideal for pond margins, stream banks, and floodplains.

Special Features:

Native to North America; excellent erosion control; disease resistant foliage; provides four-season interest.
Care Guide

Ornamental & Landscape Value

Seasonal Interest:

  • Bloom Information: Flat-topped clusters of small white flowers in May and June.
  • Fall Colour: Red, orange, or deep burgundy-purple.
  • Bark: Brilliant, deep red young stems visible all winter.
  • Fruit: Clusters of white (sometimes blue-tinged) berries in late summer and fall.

Garden Value:

Excellent for mass plantings, naturalizing, and erosion control on banks. It is a staple for rain gardens and areas with poor drainage where other shrubs might struggle.

Wildlife & Human Value:

  • Wildlife Value: A high-impact ecological plant; flowers support pollinators, while the berries are a vital food source for over 90 species of birds.
  • Human Value: Stems are used in floral arrangements and basketry; historically used as a medicinal wash and for making fish traps.

Planting & Care Guide

Planting Considerations:

  • Best Time To Plant: Spring or early fall.
  • Spacing: 5–10 feet apart, or closer if creating a dense screen.
  • Location Tips: Select low spots or water edges; ensure good air circulation to prevent fungal issues.

Care:

  • Light Requirements: Prefers full sun to partial shade; at least 6–8 hours of sun ensures the most vivid stem colour.
  • Moisture Requirements: Needs consistent moisture; thrives in wet areas and does not like to dry out completely.
  • Maintenance: Prune in late winter or early spring. To maintain the bright red colour, remove one-third of the oldest, dullest stems every year.
  • Fertilization: Generally low-need; a light layer of compost in early spring is usually sufficient.

Tolerances:

Clay soil, wet soil, urban pollution, road salt, and deer (once established).

Tips For Success:

Use "rejuvenation pruning"—cutting the entire shrub back to 6 inches every 2–3 years—to force a flush of the most colourful new stems. Mulch heavily to keep shallow roots cool and moist.
Fruit Profile