"That could not work because of the growth habit." I'm unclear - do you mean the size when you are referring to growth habit?

"ripped off by the nursery"

Because they grew larger than you wanted? LOL!! No you didn't get 'ripped off' - trees and shrubs often grow larger than anticipated - the better the growing conditions, the larger they get. They just don't hit some predetermined size and simply stop growing - once they achieve their "mature" size, growth usually slows, sometimes dramatically, but woody plants never stop growing until they die.

The good news is that shrub dogwoods are very easily kept under control by hard pruning (aka coppicing or stooling) - cutting back to low woody framework annually each season, usually in late winter or early spring before new growth commences. How far back you can cut your current shrubs would be easier to say had you provided photos but I'm sure you could get them down to 16-24", perhaps lower. And besides reducing the overall size of the shrub - at least temporarily - hard pruning/coppicing will also intensify the stem color. Newest stem growth will always produce the best coloring.

coppicing red twig dogwoods

Nerdyshopper,

If they grew that quickly in just a year or two I would say that yes, you did get a completely different variety. If it has been more than a couple years to get to that point then they are probably Arctic Fire and are at the point where they will require an annual pruning.

We've had Arctic Fire in perfect site conditions and over the course of 4 years it finally got to where we had to prune them (6' by about 5' after this time). Remember, no shrub stops growing and 4' for any dogwood shrub would be highly unlikely at full maturity.

Rather than cutting 1/3rd of them out just cut them at around 8-12" tall in spring (the whole plant). See how they grow after this severe pruning. You might have to do this annually or simply replant with something else. This is how it is with plants (and why you should always be wary of labels). Dwarf only means it grows slower, not that it will magically stop growing when the label says. You can always cut part of the stems now and use them for winter decor or outside pots.

Since the real show with 'Arctic Fire' is the winter stems, you should cut it yearly to the ground. It's unlikely it will grow taller than 4 ft. if you do this. And, BTW, if you do this, it will never flower, but that's not why people grow this cultivar anyway.

when lacey ..... just after the show is over in spring ???

ken

Since the flower show, while nice, is not the main thang, I'd coppice it in the standard late winter/very early spring window. Best for what you want to happen-a profusion of new bright red stems.

+oM