Red Osier Dogwood

Description

Red Osier Dogwood is a striking, multi-stemmed native shrub best known for its brilliant red stems that add color and texture to the winter landscape. In late spring, it produces clusters of creamy white flowers that attract pollinators, followed by white to bluish-white berries that ripen in late summer. Its bright green summer foliage turns shades of red and purple in fall, creating year-round visual interest. The vivid red stems are most vibrant in winter sunlight, making this species a standout in naturalized and designed plantings alike. Tough and adaptable, Red Osier Dogwood thrives in a wide range of moisture conditions and supports a remarkable variety of wildlife.

Ecological Value

Cornus sericea provides nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects, and its fruits are a critical food source for more than 40 bird species, including bluebirds, thrushes, and cedar waxwings. The dense branches offer nesting sites and protective cover for birds and small mammals, while its extensive root system helps stabilize streambanks and control erosion. It also serves as a host plant for the Spring Azure and Red-Spotted Purple butterflies, supporting important stages of their life cycle. Its ability to thrive in both wet and disturbed sites makes it a key species for habitat restoration and ecological resilience.

Ideal Growing Conditions

Red Osier Dogwood thrives in full sun to partial shade and moist to wet soils, naturally occurring along streambanks, ponds, wetlands, and lowland forests. It prefers loamy or silty soils but adapts well to clay and sandy conditions. While most vigorous in moist areas, it tolerates occasional drought once established. It spreads by suckers to form colonies, making it excellent for erosion control, rain gardens, and wildlife hedgerows. The reddest stem color occurs in younger wood and in full sun, so periodic rejuvenation pruning encourages vibrant regrowth.

Landscape Uses

Ideal for rain gardens, wetland restorations, hedgerows, and naturalized borders, Red Osier Dogwood brings beauty, structure, and habitat value to native landscapes. It pairs beautifully with Winterberry, Buttonbush, and Blue-Fruited Dogwood for a diverse and bird-friendly planting. Its colorful stems provide striking winter interest, while its flowers and fruit sustain pollinators and birds through multiple seasons. Hardy, versatile, and ecologically rich, Red Osier Dogwood is a cornerstone shrub for supporting biodiversity and visual interest year-round in wet or lowland landscapes.

Map Color Key

	Species present in state and native		Species present and not rare
	Species not present in state		Species present and rare

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