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Cornus stolonifera (Red osier dogwood)

Cornus stolonifera Cornus stolonifera Arctic Fire™ Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Spring Meadow Nursery


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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Botanical Name: Cornus stolonifera KOR-nus sto-lon-IF-er-ah Common Name: Red osier dogwood Synonyms: C. sericea Genus: Cornus
Red osier dogwood is a deciduous shrub with a rounded, spreading form. Opposite leaves with rounded bases are ovate to lance-shaped and dark green, turning a dull red, purple-red, or orange in autumn. Clusters of white flowers appear in late May to early June, followed by white to pale blue fruit. Green stems turn reddish or purple-red from late summer into early fall, becoming brighter in winter.
Noteworthy characteristics: Native from Newfoundland to Manitoba, south to the central U.S.  May be hardy to Zone 2. Use as a screen, in a shrub border, or in mass plantings.
Care: Easy to grow, it prefers moist soil but adapts to a range of soils and locations. Tolerates wet soils. Removing older stems produces vigorous new shoots with vivid coloration.
Propagation: Spreads by suckering.
Problems: Dogwood blight, powdery mildew, Discula blight, canker, bacterial leaf spot, and mushroom root rot. Common: twig borers, weevils, sawfly, scale insects, aphids, leafhoppers, root knot nematodes, and thrips.
Height 3 ft. to 6 ft.
Spread 10 ft. to 15 ft.
Growth Habit Runs
Growth Pace Fast Grower
Light Full Sun to Part Shade
Moisture Adaptable
Maintenance Moderate
Characteristics Interesting Bark; Native
Bloom Time Early Summer; Summer
Flower Color White Flower
Uses Beds and Borders, Screening, Waterside
Seasonal Interest Winter Interest, Spring Interest, Summer Interest, Fall Interest
Type Shrubs

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