Redosier dogwood is a native shrub that grows well along streams, lakes, and forest openings throughout much of northern North America. It has upright stems, oval green leaves that turn yellow to purple in fall, and attractive red bark on young stems. Small white or cream flowers in late spring attract pollinators and produce small blue or white fruits that persist through winter providing food for birds. Redosier dogwood is often used for its winter color and fruit, and makes a good choice for hedges, wildlife habitat, or areas needing moisture tolerance like pond edges. It requires full sun to part shade and tolerates a variety of soil and water conditions with little other maintenance needed.

1. Redosier Dogwood – Cornus sericea (KOR-nus sir-IH-see-uh)
Family: Cornaceae (Dogwood Family)
Native to: Much of northern North America (except the lower Midwest and deep South), including
most CO counties. Grows along stream banks, lake shores, forest openings and other moist places
from sea level to about 10,000 ft.
Growth characteristics: clumping woody shrub mature height: 6-8+ ft. mature width: 8-10+ ft.
Winter-deciduous woody shrub with upright stems from a shallow, woody root system. Leaves
simple, oval to oblong, 2-4 inches long with conspicuous veins. Leaf color green, slightly lighter
below due to trichomes. May be good fall leaf color – yellow to purple. Red to maroon bark on
young stems is particularly colorful in winter/early spring. Attractive appearance year-round.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms in late spring/summer, usually May to August. Flowers small, white or
cream, in dense, flat clusters. Flowers sweetly scented and attract wide range of pollinators from
native bees to butterflies and moths. Fruits are small drupes, green maturing to white or pale blue.
Fruits retained through winter (or until eaten by birds, animals).
Uses in the garden: Most often used for its winter color, particularly when paired with evergreens.
Good choice for hedge, hedgerow or windbreak. Does well in moister areas of garden, such as pond
edges, stream banks, rain gardens or infiltration swales. Pretty with wild rose, aspen, cottonwoods
and other native streambank plants. Excellent choice for wildlife habitat. Shoots used in basket-
making and other crafts. Many cultivars with different characteristics available.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native shrubby dogwoods, willows.
Attracts: Excellent bird habitat: provides cover, nest sites and fruits for winter food. Foliage and
fruit eaten by deer, elk, rabbits and other creatures. Superb pollinator habitat shrub!
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun to part-shade; probably best with afternoon shade in hottest gardens.
Soil Any texture; pH from 5.0-8.0
Water Tolerates winter/spring flooding. Needs weekly water once established.
Fertilizer Not required but will tolerate low doses or fertilizer.
Other Let fallen leaves provide leaf mulch.
Management: Easy to grow. Cut out 20% or old stems in early spring or coppice every 3-4 years
for good color and plant health.
Propagation: from seed: outside in fall (cold treatment) by cuttings: easy; summer or winter
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 8, 16, 20, 46 01/03/21
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