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Red Osier Dogwood

Cornus sericea

Also known as: Red Twig Dogwood

Brilliant red winter stems for landscape interest. Suckers to form thickets; excellent for rain gardens. The fruit has been eaten, usually mixed with sweeter fruits like juneberries, though it's bitter and can cause nausea on its own — a minor food at best.

Family

Cornaceae

Type

tree

Lifespan

perennial

Height

6–9 ft

Spacing

7–10 ft apart

Light

part shade

Soil moisture

moist

Soil pH

alkaline, neutral

Bloom

May, June

Bloom colors

white

Wildlife value

songbirds, butterflies, larval host

Caterpillar hosts

~118 butterfly & moth species

Landscape uses

specimen, hedge or screen, rain garden, erosion control

Native states

AK, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, IA, ID, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, MI, MN, MT, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SD, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WY