![]() The brightest color occurs on new stem growth, so prune the plant back in early spring to stimulate more growth. Its showy red stems provide great winter interest. Plant it in full sun to partial shade, though plants can become stressed in full sun during our hot southern summers. Sericea is Latin for silky and is in reference to fine hairs found on the tops of leaves and lining new twigs.Īlthough it tolerates a range of soil conditions, including wet and dry sites and heavy clay soil, it prefers organically rich, consistently moist soil. The genus Cornus is from the Latin name for horn. The common name indicates the bright red color of the stems. Growing to a height and width of 6 to 9 feet, it is typically found growing in damp boggy areas, riparian areas, or wetland margins. Red twig dogwood is a large, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub in the Cornaceae (dogwood) family and native to most of North America, including North Carolina. Young stems have the best red stem color.Īlthough pruning is not required, many gardeners choose to remove 20 to 25% of the aged stems in the first spring each year to encourage the growth of new stems that will display the best red color.ĮNVIRONMENTAL – Not known to be invasive.Phonetic Spelling KOR-nus san-GWIN-ee-ah Description Suppose colonial spread is undesirable, trim roots with a spade and remove root suckers as soon as possible. It can resist a broad range of soil conditions, including swampy or boggy areas. Combine with yellow twig dogwoods for a bicolor winter stem display.ĬARE – Grown best in organically rich, medium to wet soils in full sun to partial shade. Although not required, annual prunings will promote the best stem color.Ĭlusters of tiny white flowers in spring give way to bluish-white fruits, which are attractive to birds.ĭark green leaves turn reddish-purple in autumn. SCIENTIFIC NAME – Cornus sericea ‘Cardinal’ĭescription: This dogwood is primarily grown for its salmon-red stems, which intensify in color as winter sets in. It works well with evergreens or a yellow-branched dogwood cultivar called “Flaviramia.” If a large shrub isn’t appropriate for your landscape, there is a dwarf cultivar called “Arctic Fire” that grows 3 to 5 feet tall.ĭogwood has few pests and diseases, but it is susceptible to leaf and twig blights, canker and leaf spots, and the occasional scale, leaf miners, and bagworms. Red twig dogwood may be used as a specimen plant in the landscape or as part of a shrub border or informal hedge. Flowers draw insects, which in turn attract birds. The spring azure butterfly uses it as a larval host. These can be dug up and replanted.Īs a native plant, dogwood provides a habitat for various birds and insects, not to mention photo opportunities when birds perch on its red winter branches. Some of the lower stems may be partially buried in the soil, and developing roots along the buried stems. Stem cuttings are a simple method of propagation for red twig dogwood. If the plant becomes overgrown and out of control, you can rejuvenate it by cutting it down to about 9 inches in length. Because older stems stop turning red in the winter, some gardeners Every year in early spring prune a few of the older branches at ground level. The red branches lose their bright color and turn gray in the spring. ![]() They thrive in moist soil and can endure in wetlands. The leaves are elliptical with distinct veins.ĭogwoods prefer full sun but will grow in light shade as well. The flowers ripen into green, pea-sized beans that ripen to white in the fall. Flat umbrella-comparable clusters of minor white, aromatic flowers come out in May or June. Red twig dogwood (Cornus sericea) is a transitory shrubbery with a simple form that rises 6 to 12 feet tall. SHARES Fall Favorite That Spruces Up Any Snowy Winter
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