Unbelievable red stems make this plant a great winter spectical. This dogwood produces white flowers during the end of May or the first part of June. The fruit is white and contrasts nicely with the green foliage. The fall color is a maroon for the leaves, but the real color is in the red stems. The stems tend to be the brightest red during the first 3 or 4 years. The best way to maintain the red stems is to cut them off at the ground in early spring before they leaf out. Red Osier Dogwood seems to be susceptible to canker, a disease that attacks environmentally stressed plants. This dogwood likes wet to wet mesic soils. Even with supplemental water, plants placed on a berm will not survive because it is just too dry. A pond edge with Alder, Winter Berry, and Red Osier dogwood would be a spectacular scene in winter.

Environment:  Xeric  Dry/Mesic  Mesic  Wet/Mesic  Hydric

Exposure:  Shade  Part Shade  Morning Sun  Full Sun

Bloom Period:  Spring  Summer  Fall