Red Osier Dogwood
Red Osier Dogwood
Cornus sericea
Red osier dogwood is a large to medium-sized shrub with brilliant red stems, creamy white spring flowers followed by small white berries, and dark green foliage that turns dark red in autumn. Red osier dogwood is tolerant of dry sites and adaptable to many soils but prefers moist sites, such as along streams and ponds.
Bare root, 2-3'
Sourced from Michigan
| Mature height (ft) | 6-10 |
| Mature spread (ft) | 6-12 |
| Sun preference | Full sun to light shade |
| Native/non-native* | Native |
| Soil type preference | Any: loam, sand, clay |
| Soil moisture preference | Moist to wet, well-drained |
| Bloom | May to June |
| Fruits | September to October |
| Pollination | Not self-pollinating |
| Zone | 2-7 |
| pH | Any, alkaline to acidic |
| Wildlife benefit | The fruit is a popular food for turkey, ruffed grouse, bobwhite, pheasant, many other birds, and deer. Attracts pollinators such as butterfly. |
| Uses | Shrub border, erosion control, rain garden, ornamental, wildlife shelter and food source. |
| Resistance/tolerance | Salt, occasional flooding |
*Non-native is not inherently negative; non-native species refers to any species living outside of its natural range and can have neutral, positive, or negative impacts. Invasive species are a non-native species that spread aggressively and cause harm to the environment, economy and/or human health. Many non-native species have naturalized and fill a beneficial niche in the ecosystem.
Red-Osier Dogwood, The Morton Arboretum
Red-Osier Dogwood, Poultney Mettowee NRCD and Champlain Valley Native Plant Restoration Nursery