Maritime Arboretum Seed Red Osier Dogwood

Cornus sericea

Red Osier Dogwood is a hardy native North American shrub known for its vibrant red stems, clusters of creamy-white flowers, and blue-white berries. Its colourful winter stems provide excellent seasonal interest, while its flowers and fruit provide valuable resources for pollinators and birds. It is especially well suited to naturalized landscapes, wildlife gardens, wet areas, and streamside plantings.

Approximate Maximum Height: 10 m
Zone(s): Zone 6 to Zone 9
About the Seeds: Clean Seed

Lighting: Full sun to partial shade. Red Osier Dogwood is adaptable to a wide range of light conditions, although full sun encourages vigorous growth and more colourful young stems.

Germination: Red Osier Dogwood seeds require cold, moist stratification for reliable germination. Scarification followed by approximately 90 days of cold stratification at 2-5°C (36-41°F) can improve germination. After stratification, sow approximately 1 cm (⅜") deep. Germination may occur within about 25 days under favourable conditions, but can be slow and irregular.

Watering: Keep the seed-starting medium consistently moist but not waterlogged throughout stratification and germination. Once seedlings emerge, maintain even moisture and do not allow young plants to dry out. Red Osier Dogwood prefers moist, well-drained soil and has relatively low drought tolerance.