Description
Latin: Cornus sericea (stolonifera)
Zones: 2-7
Other common names: American dogwood, kinnikinnik, squawbush, red-stemmed cornel, ruby dogwood
Mature Height/spread: a deciduous shrub, 6′ to 10′ tall with an equal or greater spread, shape is rounded and spreading loose and somewhat open, multi-stemmed.
Soil / Climate: The Red Osier dogwood is tolerant of dry sites, but prefers wet areas along streams and ponds. Ranges from Maine to Manitoba and south. Easily transplanted, quite adaptable to many soils, but likes moisture, full sun to light shade, easily grown United States. It is even found on the west coast of the United States and down into the mountains of Arizona and New Mexico.
Notes: Bark turns dark red in autumn. Leaves are oblong with pointed tips, and turn dark red in the fall. Flowers are white. Fruit persists through fall. Flowers in 1.5″ to 2.5″ diameter, flat clusters dull white are quite small bloom time is late May to early June. Used as a screen, shrub border, soil stabilization, most useful for red stem color in winter
Gary –
The plants we ordered were somewhat small but these plants are vigorous growers. We grew them in one place in pots over the summer, where we could water them easily, then transplanted in the fall as more mature plants. Out of 25 ordered, we ended up with 27 plants! I think CSF sent a couple tiny ones that clung to the clump, and we planted them as well. Doing great, and the deer will keep them pruned but these will return if the roots are established.