Red Osier Dogwood
Cornus sericea
Also listed as Cornus stolonifera, Swida sericea
Also known as Red-twig Dogwood, Redstem Dogwood, Red-stemmed Dogwood
Climate Match for your location
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A deciduous shrub prized for its bright red stems that provide winter color when foliage drops. It produces small white flowers in spring and blue-white berries, which are bitter and not commonly eaten, followed by vibrant fall foliage.
Why grow it
Red osier dogwood outperforms many ornamental shrubs for winter stem color, particularly in cold climates where the red intensifies. Unlike some dogwoods that require specific soil conditions, it tolerates a wider range of moisture levels from wet to moderately dry sites, making it useful for rain gardens or riparian plantings. Its fast growth and ability to spread via rhizomes allows it to stabilize banks and provide wildlife habitat more quickly than slower-growing alternatives.
Watch out for
This shrub spreads vigorously through underground runners and can become dense and tangled without periodic cutting. While this growth habit is useful for erosion control, it may require management in smaller spaces or mixed plantings to prevent it from outcompeting nearby plants. Best winter stem color develops on young growth, so older canes gradually lose their vivid red hue and may need renewal pruning every few years.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Cornaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Western North America
Native to: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Notable Cultivars
Cardinal produces the brightest red stems; Flaviramea displays yellow-green stems for contrast; Kelseyi is a dwarf cultivar reaching only 2–3 feet, ideal for smaller spaces.
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A deciduous shrub prized for its bright red stems that provide winter color when foliage drops. It produces small white flowers in spring and blue-white berries, which are bitter and not commonly eaten, followed by vibrant fall foliage.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Red Osier Dogwood grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Red osier dogwood outperforms many ornamental shrubs for winter stem color, particularly in cold climates where the red intensifies. Unlike some dogwoods that require specific soil conditions, it tolerates a wider range of moisture levels from wet to moderately dry sites, making it useful for rain gardens or riparian plantings. Its fast growth and ability to spread via rhizomes allows it to stabilize banks and provide wildlife habitat more quickly than slower-growing alternatives.
Watch out for
This shrub spreads vigorously through underground runners and can become dense and tangled without periodic cutting. While this growth habit is useful for erosion control, it may require management in smaller spaces or mixed plantings to prevent it from outcompeting nearby plants. Best winter stem color develops on young growth, so older canes gradually lose their vivid red hue and may need renewal pruning every few years.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Cornaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Western North America
Native to: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar shrubs you might consider:
Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.
Companion Planting
Plants well with
Notable Cultivars
Cardinal produces the brightest red stems; Flaviramea displays yellow-green stems for contrast; Kelseyi is a dwarf cultivar reaching only 2–3 feet, ideal for smaller spaces.