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Great Design Plant: Redtwig Dogwood
Fiery winter foliage makes this plant a seasonal stunner
Every spring I find myself amazed and surprised by the new growth and rebirth that occurs on the same deciduous plants I was certain had been dead long since winter began. Pass a redtwig dogwood (Cornus sericea) in January, and any lingering doubt that these plants aren't still actively living is instantly shed.
Cold hardy and water tolerant, redtwig dogwood is an especially elegant garden addition throughout the year. Its wild growth habit, delicate blooms and vibrant winter color contribute to it being the perfectly untamed, yet sophisticated, design plant.
Cold hardy and water tolerant, redtwig dogwood is an especially elegant garden addition throughout the year. Its wild growth habit, delicate blooms and vibrant winter color contribute to it being the perfectly untamed, yet sophisticated, design plant.
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by Tom Debley
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| Botanical name: Cornus sericea (syn. Cornus stolonifera) Common names: Redtwig dogwood, red osier dogwood, American dogwood, red willow, redstem dogwood, redosier dogwood, creek dogwood USDA zones: 2-7 Water requirement: Moderate Sun requirement: Full sun to shade Mature size: 7-9’ tall, spreads to 12’ wide Tolerances: Deer, soil — including wet soil and clay soil Environmental benefits: Fruit attracts birds and wildlife; flowers attract butterflies |
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| Distinguishing traits. Redtwig dogwood is a shrub for all seasons. With a dense multi-stemmed structure as a base, ovate green leaves cover its smooth green stems in spring. Leaves are joined by creamy white floral clusters in summer, followed by creamy white or blue berries. |
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| Transitioning from summer to autumn, stems and foliage turn a brilliant crimson, persisting into the onset of fall. |
It's in winter is when redtwig dogwood is exceptionally noticeable, and it's for this seasonal transformation that redtwig dogwood is named. The stems of the shrub become a fiery shade of red before losing its leaves for the season. In Alaska and Newfoundland its winter color is especially vivid — starkly contrasted against a blanket of white snow.
The ‘Baileyi’ cultivar, shown here, is similar in color but lacks the spreading appearance of the straight species.
The ‘Baileyi’ cultivar, shown here, is similar in color but lacks the spreading appearance of the straight species.
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| How to use it. Consider adding a rain garden to your landscape to curb stormwater runoff. Found naturally in damp areas, redtwig dogwood is inherently suited wet conditions. During a time of year that most plants are on hiatus, redtwig dogwood is at the peak of its visual interest. A quick spreader and soil stabilizer, redtwig dogwood makes a great hillside or bank space filler. Plant in mass for a lush green screen in spring and summer and a fiery red landscape accent in fall and winter. |
Keep it growing. While redtwig dogwood transplants well and easy to grow, its rapid growth rate and spreading nature can sometimes take over the landscape. In order to control the spread of redtwig dogwood, cut back branches and roots that touch the ground, preventing suckers.
Following its seasonal display of color, the plant goes dormant before leafing out again in spring. Take this time to cut back the shrub in order to allow for new growth. It is on the younger stems that you will see the most spectacular red color.
While the plant has been known to be susceptible to leaf and twig blight, maintaining air circulation and light penetration are two good ways to be proactive and preventative.
More great design plants:
Hens-and-Chicks | Snake Flower | Toyon | Black Mondo Grass | Feather Reed Grass | New Zealand Wind Grass | Red Kangaroo Paw | Blue Chalk Sticks | Catmint | Slipper Plant
Great design trees:
Manzanita | Japanese Maple | Persian Ironwood | Smoke Tree | Bald Cypress | Tree Aloe
Following its seasonal display of color, the plant goes dormant before leafing out again in spring. Take this time to cut back the shrub in order to allow for new growth. It is on the younger stems that you will see the most spectacular red color.
While the plant has been known to be susceptible to leaf and twig blight, maintaining air circulation and light penetration are two good ways to be proactive and preventative.
More great design plants:
Hens-and-Chicks | Snake Flower | Toyon | Black Mondo Grass | Feather Reed Grass | New Zealand Wind Grass | Red Kangaroo Paw | Blue Chalk Sticks | Catmint | Slipper Plant
Great design trees:
Manzanita | Japanese Maple | Persian Ironwood | Smoke Tree | Bald Cypress | Tree Aloe
Comments
Karen Heffernan great idea book - red twig dogwoods (especially with variegated leaves are one of my all-time favorite shrubs.
17 months ago · Like
Becky Harris These are one of my all-time favorites too. Also, they were a surefire one I would actually get right in those horrible plants class quizzes.
17 months ago · Like
designchallenged deer have nibbled on my red-twig dogwood, but not as frequently as on other plants.
17 months ago · Like
Trendoffice Interior Design Consulting It is one of my favourites, too - I am so glad to find this post here!
17 months ago · Like
squinlan I was thrilled to see the redtwig dogwood would survive the conditions Alaska put out only to discover the moose devoured them come their winter feeding frenzy. What a bummer! They may be deer tolerant but the moose have no mercy. They find them just as attractive as I.
17 months ago · Like
Cheri I was hoping this was a post on how to use the twigs! I have 7 red twig dogwoods on our property and would love ideas on using them!
16 months ago · Like
barbwadams Wonderful plant, but sadly, the deer ate them down to the ground on our property and we had to give up on them.
16 months ago · Like
Ideabook updated on Jan. 16, 2012.
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