Home » Membership » Signature Plants
T22. Cornus sericea 'Cardinal'
Red osier dogwood, red-twig dogwood (cultivar)
Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–8
Full sun–partial shade
Moist soil
6–9 feet tall
Native to stream banks and wetland margins in eastern North America, the red osier dogwood is a multistemmed deciduous shrub with a rounded, spreading habit. A popular plant for shrub borders and wet spots in the garden, it is particularly prized for its dark red winter stem color, which looks spectacular against a backdrop of snow. It also boasts showy white flower clusters in late spring and attractive bluish-white fruits in late summer. The cultivar 'Cardinal' has bright red winter twigs.
Photo Courtesy of Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder