Photo By Marina Kositsyna

How to Grow and Care for Siberian dogwood

Siberian dogwood, also known as Tatarian dogwood, Red barked dogwood, White dogwood, Red osier

Siberian dogwood is a resilient shrub that is generally easy to care for, thriving in a range of conditions. Key care points include placing it in a location with full sun to partial shade and ensuring it has well-drained soil. Pruning is important for maintaining its vibrant stem color; annual cutting back of the older stems in late winter or early spring is recommended.

Watering schedule: Every 2 weeks

Sunlight Requirements: Full sun

In This Article

Planting and Growing Siberian dogwood

Toughness	High
Care Level	Low
Care Difficulty	Easy
Lifespan	Perennial
Watering Schedule	Every 2 weeks
Sunlight Requirements	Full sun
Soil Type	Garden Soil
Soil pH	6-7.5
Planting Time	Spring, Fall, Winter
Hardiness Zones	5-8

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Varieties of Siberian dogwood

Siberian dogwood 'Aurea'

Siberian dogwood 'Aurea' has red stems, tiny cream-white flowers, gold-green leaves, and white berries that grow in clusters. It is a cultivar of the Red barked dogwood and named for its golden leaves (the Latin word "Aurea" means gold). Gardeners favor this cultivar for its flowers that are rich in pollen and attract birds and bees.

Siberian dogwood 'Spaethii'

Siberian dogwood 'Spaethii', a cultivar of the Tartarian dogwood, is a medium-sized deciduous shrub with stems that turn bright red in winter. The leaves are dark green with bold yellow margins. Gardeners favor this cultivar as an ornamental plant. It is also resistant to browsing and attracts butterflies.

Siberian dogwood 'Elegantissima'

Siberian dogwood 'Elegantissima', a cultivar of the Tatarian dogwood also known as Argenteo-marginata, is a vigorous upright shrub with bright red stems and attractive gray-green variegated leaves. In autumn this cultivar's leaves turn reddish-orange. The cultivar is named for its elegant appearance. Siberian dogwood 'Elegantissima's are often used by gardeners and landscapers as a hedge or screen - their red stems are particularly noticeable during the winter, when their foliage has dropped.

Siberian dogwood 'Kesselringii'

Siberian dogwood 'Kesselringii', a cultivar of the Tatarian dogwood, is known for its dark green foliage and stunning, shiny deep-red stems that turn purple-black in winter. Gardeners favor this cultivar for its attractive dark bark and its autumn leaves, which are usually a shade of bronze.

Siberian dogwood 'Sibirica'

Siberian dogwood 'Sibirica' is a vigorous-growing, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub known for its brilliant red stems in winter. It is a cultivar of Tartarian dogwood. Siberian dogwood 'Sibirica' is planted decoratively, as it offers tiny, yellowish-white flowers in late spring that give way to bluish-white stone fruits. It also makes a great hedge or screen.

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More General Info About Siberian dogwood

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Quickly Identify Siberian dogwood

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Siberian dogwood is characterized by its multi-stemmed, upright growth with a tendency to form arching canes. Its stems notably turn bright red in the fall and winter, transitioning to a greenish-red hue in summer, complemented by conspicuous lenticels. The dark green leaves, which can develop a slightly wrinkled texture, transform to a striking yellow or reddish-purple in the fall. Spring brings clusters of creamy white flowers, followed by distinctive white drupes that bear a blue tint. The plant's loose and spreading form reaches about 5 to 9 feet (1.5 to 2.7 meters) in height.