Red Osier Dogwood
Red Osier Dogwood
Cornus sericea
Plant Details:
Plant type: Shrub | Straight native species
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Soil moisture: Medium to wet
Mature size: 6–9 ft. tall × 8–12 ft. wide
Bloom time: May–June
Growth rate: Fast
Container size: 3 gallon pot
Estimated size at pickup in feet (if available): 2-3
Great For
• Rain gardens and streambanks
• Informal screens and wildlife hedges
• Erosion control and naturalized plantings
Ecological Benefits
• Flowers support native pollinators. Berries feed songbirds and mammals, and dense stems provide nesting and cover.
Why We Recommend It
Red Osier Dogwood is a versatile wet-site shrub best known for its brilliant red winter stems. We recommend it for rain gardens, streambanks, informal screens, and erosion-control plantings where dense, spreading growth is useful. Spring flowers support native pollinators, berries feed birds and mammals, and the thicket provides nesting and shelter. It tolerates clay, flooding, and cold conditions, but it spreads by suckers and is frequently browsed by deer, so it is not ideal for small formal beds.
Good to Know
• Brilliant red winter stems
• Tough shrub for moist and difficult sites
• High wildlife and erosion-control value
Care/behavior information: For the brightest stem color, remove about one-third of the oldest stems at ground level each spring or rejuvenate periodically.
Warning or placement concerns (if applicable): Spreads by suckers and may outgrow small beds. Deer commonly browse stems and foliage.
Notable wildlife detail (if applicable): Dogwoods support numerous native butterfly and moth caterpillars.
Deer resistant (if applicable):
Rabbit resistant (if applicable):
Special tolerances: Clay soil; wet soil; seasonal flooding; cold; erosion
Fall 2026 Plant Pickup
This is a preorder item and will not be available until our fall pickup event. Plants are not shipped.
Pickup Dates
Thursday, October 1, 2026 |11:00 AM–6:00 PM in Noblesville, IN
Friday, October 2, 2026 | 10:00 AM–1:00 PM in Noblesville, IN
Pickup Location
Hamilton County Fairgrounds in Noblesville, Indiana. More info will be shared via email as the pick-up dates approach.
Please plan to pick up your order during one of these scheduled times. Plants are living material and cannot be held beyond the pickup event unless prior arrangements have been made.
Plant Guarantee
We guarantee that you will receive a healthy plant at pickup. Because survival depends on planting methods, weather, site conditions, and ongoing care, we cannot offer refunds or guarantees after pickup. Height estimates are approximate and not guaranteed. Remember that you're investing in a healthy root system—the foundation of long-term success—not simply above-ground height.
Photos courtesy of Arbor Day Foundation and/or Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder.