How to Grow and Care for Red osier dogwood

Red osier dogwood, also known as Red twig dogwood, Creek dogwood, Red willow, Red-rood, Western dogwood, American dogwood

Red osier dogwood is a hardy shrub well-suited for a variety of environments. Key care points include ensuring it has moist, well-drained soil and access to full sun to partial shade. Special care points involve regular pruning to promote healthy growth and to maintain its desired shape. Due to its adaptability and low-maintenance needs, red osier dogwood is considered easy to care for.

Watering schedule: Every week

Sunlight Requirements: Partial sun

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Planting and Growing Red osier dogwood

Toughness	High
Care Level	Low
Care Difficulty	Easy
Lifespan	Perennial
Watering Schedule	Every week
Sunlight Requirements	Partial sun
Soil pH	5.5-7
Planting Time	Spring, Fall
Hardiness Zones	3-8

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Varieties of Red osier dogwood

Red osier dogwood 'Sunshine'

Red osier dogwood 'Sunshine''s golden-speckled stems and bunches of bright white flowers give this variant its unique appearance. Cultivated as a dogwood hybrid, it was suitably named after its flecks of "sunshine" found throughout the plant. Red osier dogwood 'Sunshine' is popular for its distinct colors, prolific growth, and ease of care.

Red osier dogwood 'Cardinal'

Red osier dogwood 'Cardinal' is a hardy Red osier dogwood cultivar with a shrub-forming growth habit and remarkably ornamental orange-red branches that turn bright red during the winter. This multi-branching tall bush offers multi-seasonal interest, but it is mostly prized for its winter color display.

Red osier dogwood 'Flaviramea'

Red osier dogwood 'Flaviramea' is distinct for its bright yellow stems in winter. A cultivar of Cornus sericea, its name comes from Latin and refers to its golden branches. This shrub is good for hedges and other borders, and its showy flowers attract birds and butterflies.

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More General Info About Red osier dogwood

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Red osier dogwood is a deciduous shrub reaching heights and widths of approximately 6 to 9 feet (1.8 to 2.7 meters). It is distinguished by its vibrant red stems and twigs, especially noticeable in winter. Come mid to late spring, it boasts dense clusters of flat-topped, creamy-white flowers. By late summer and early fall, it produces bluish-tinged white berries. The foliage turns a reddish-purple in autumn, adding to its seasonal appeal.