Gallon – $7.97   2 Gallon – $14.97

Red Twig Dogwood (Cornus sericea) is a deciduous perennial shrub loved for its showy red bark in the winter allowing for year round interest.  Also known as Red-osier Dogwood, it gets its name from its purplish red stems and its former use in making wicker baskets (Osier is French for “wicker”).  Young branches are smooth and attractively colored in red while older branches are less colorful. Older branches can be pruned back to stimulate increased production of colorful young stems.  Its smooth, pointed leaves are medium green,turning purplish red in fall. Flowers are white flat clusters that bloom on old wood so heavily pruned bushes may not see blooms or the berries which follow the blooms.  Despite bearing spring blossoms, variegated leaves in summer, and berries from summer to fall, the main reason people grow Red Twig Dogwood is for the bush’s stand out bright red twigs, which are brightest in winter.  Plant bushes where they can be viewed from a window during the winter months.  Nothing is prettier than the bright red twigs peeking out from the white snow.

Red Twig Dogwood can grow to a height of 8 feet with a similar spread.  Can be but pruned in late winter to  maintain a desired shape and size.   Prune out 1/3 of the older branches to encourage growth of the younger branches which have the brightest red colors.  While known to be adaptable to most soil condition, they are considered a good plant for wet areas makes them a good choice for those wishing to establish woodland gardens.  Red Twig Dogwoods prefer full sun but will tolerate partial shade.  A fast grower and hardy in zone 3-8.

Good for erosion control as they have a spreading root system and look great planted in groups.or in mass as a shrub border.   Because of the root system, best not to plant near a house.