Red Twig Dogwood – The Ultimate Guide from Proven Winners®

Plants are more susceptible to fungal diseases in hot, humid climates. Diseases include canker, leaf blight, anthracnose, powdery mildew, twig blight, and leaf spots. Pests can include bagworms, borers, leaf miners, and scale.

How to Grow and Care for Red Twig Dogwoods

Red twig dogwood is grown primarily for the bright stems that add winter color to the landscape. Unlike the more commonly known flowering dogwood trees, this type is a shrub. Red twig dogwood is exceptionally hardy and long-lived, with four-season interest. In spring, the colorful stems give way to new foliage and flowers, which are followed by berries in summer and fall. Some varieties also have vibrant fall foliage.

There are several species that go by the common name of red twig dogwood, though some varieties produce stems in other colors, which can cause some confusion. Find out more about caring for this versatile shrub, and how to use it in your landscape.

• BASICS
• TYPES OF RED TWIG DOGWOODS
• HOW TO PLANT RED TWIG DOGWOODS
• RED TWIG DOGWOOD CARE
• RED TWIG DOGWOOD VARIETIES
• LANDSCAPING IDEAS

BASICS

Botanical name:

Zones:

2-8, depending on the species

Plant type and growth rate:

Red twig dogwood is a deciduous shrub that produces multiple upright stems. Plants spread through suckering to form a dense thicket, with a rapid growth rate up to two feet per year.

Exposure:

Full sun to partial shade. Stem color is brightest in full sun.

Habit:

Upright spreading habit

Size:

2 to 15 feet tall and wide

Bloom time:

Color:

Stem color occurs in hues of red, orange, yellow, chartreuse, coral, or purple, becoming more vivid in winter. Flat clusters of white four-petaled flowers appear in late spring to early summer, followed by clusters of pea-sized white, pale blue, or dark purple berries from summer to fall. Oval foliage is green, gold, or variegated, with some varieties producing yellow, red, or purple fall color.

Benefits:

Flowers are attractive to butterflies, bees, and other insect pollinators. The berries are a food source for songbirds and other wildlife, while the dense growth habit provides cover and nesting habitat for birds and small mammals.

Is red twig dogwood poisonous?

While the red twig dogwood plant is not considered toxic to pets or children, the berries are, so best to protect pets and children.

Is red twig dogwood deer resistant?

Red twig dogwood is considered deer resistant, though grazing may occur if other food sources are scarce.

TYPES OF RED TWIG DOGWOODS

Arctic Fire® Yellow dogwood in spring. Photo by: Proven Winners

There are three primary types of red twig dogwood:

• Tatarian dogwood (Cornus alba), also known as Siberian dogwood, is an Asian species with a native range from Siberia to the Korean peninsula. This medium-sized shrub grows rapidly, reaching 8 to 10 feet tall and wide. Plants have red stems, white flowers, green, gold, or variegated foliage, white or pale blue berries, and orange-red fall color. Hardy in USDA zones 2-7.
• Bloodtwig dogwood (Cornus sanguinea), also known as common dogwood, is native to Europe and western Asia. Named for the brilliant stems and deep crimson fall color, this larger species can reach 8 to 15 feet tall and wide. Stem color is variable, from red to gray-green, while the foliage is green. White flowers are followed by dark purple berries. Hardy in USDA zones 4-7.
• Osier dogwood (Cornus sericea, syn. C. stolonifera), native to North America, is typically found near swamps, wetlands, lakes and rivers. In its native habitat, plants can reach 6 to 9 feet tall and wide, though there are smaller varieties in cultivation. Plants have red or yellow stems, white or purple berries, green or variegated foliage and orange-red fall color. Hardy in USDA zones 2-8.

HOW TO PLANT RED TWIG DOGWOOD

When to plant:

Plant red twig dogwood during cooler months in spring or fall to avoid transplant shock from extreme summer heat.

Where to plant:

Red twig dogwood is tolerant of a wide range of soil and light conditions. Plants can tolerate wet soil as well as some drought. Plant in a location that receives full sun to partial shade with well-amended soil. Siting in more shade will help keep plants in check, though the stem coloring won’t be as vivid. When possible, place where the winter color can be enjoyed from inside your home.

How to plant:

Loosen soil in the planting area and amend with compost or other rich organic matter. Dig a hole twice as wide and slightly shallower than the depth of the root ball. Remove plant from the nursery container and loosen roots if potbound. Place in the hole so the top of the root ball is slightly higher than the surrounding soil. Fill in the hole with soil, tamp down gently to remove air pockets, and water thoroughly. Water regularly until established.

RED TWIG DOGWOOD CARE

Arctic Sun® dogwood in fall. Photo by: Proven Winners

Pruning and deadheading:

Every 1 to 3 years in late winter or early spring, up to a third of the oldest stems can be removed to stimulate growth of new stems, which produce the best coloring. Remove any dead or diseased growth. As an alternative to this pruning method, or to rejuvenate overgrown plants, all stems can be cut back to the ground in early spring every 2 to 3 years. This will likely result in the loss of flowers and berries for the current growing season. To control spread, remove root suckers around the outer base of the plant with a sharp spade.

Soil:

Red twig dogwood prefers rich well drained soil, with a slightly acidic pH between 5.5 to 6.5. Plants are tolerant of a wide range of soils.

Amendments and fertilizer:

Red twig dogwood needs little or no supplemental fertilizer. In early spring, side dress with a layer of compost or use a slow-release tree and shrub fertilizer according to instructions.

Watering:

Water new plants regularly until established. Mature plants can tolerate dry conditions as well as occasional standing water. Plants can survive with little or no supplemental water in regions that receive moderate rainfall. Water as needed during prolonged heat or dry spells.

Pests and diseases:

Plants are more susceptible to fungal diseases in hot, humid climates. Diseases include canker, leaf blight, anthracnose, powdery mildew, twig blight, and leaf spots. Pests can include bagworms, borers, leaf miners, and scale.

Red Twig Dogwood – The Ultimate Guide from Proven Winners ®

Red twig dogwoods are easy-care deciduous shrubs that contribute color to the landscape in all four seasons.

Buy red twig dogwoods – Order online and have them shipped right to your door

Red twig dogwood shrub is most commonly grown for the brightly colored branches that lend winter interest in the landscape. Unlike the more familiar tree dogwoods which develop a single or multi-stemmed trunk, this type of dogwood produces thin twiggy growth from the base that spreads to form dense clumps.

The upright branches come in colors of red, yellow, orange and coral, becoming more vivid during winter months after the leaves have dropped. Foliage is green, gold or variegated, with some varieties producing fall color. White flowers occurring in spring and summer are followed by white, blue or purple berries that provide food for songbirds and other wildlife. Use this versatile shrub in a woodland border, rain garden, massed along a slope, in containers and as hedging or screening.

RED TWIG DOGWOOD CARE and PLANTING

How to plant: When planting red twig dogwood shrubs, choose a site with full sun to partial shade and amended soil that drains well. Stem color is more vivid when planted in a site that gets at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sun. Follow these steps and space plants 2 to 15 feet apart, depending on the variety.

1. Loosen soil in the planting area and dig a hole twice as wide and slightly deeper than the root ball.
2. Remove the red twig dogwood from its nursery pot and gently tease out roots if potbound.
3. Set the plant in the hole with the base slightly deeper than the surrounding soil.
4. Backfill the hole with soil, tamp down slightly to remove air pockets, and water well. Keep plants watered regularly until established.

Soil: Red twig dogwood is tolerant of a wide range of soils including clay or rock. Plants will grow best in rich, well-draining soil with an acidic pH of 5.5 to 6.5. For containers, use a high-quality all-purpose potting mix.

Watering: Red twig dogwood is tolerant of wet soil and is somewhat drought tolerant once established. Provide supplemental water as needed during prolonged heat or dry spells.

Fertilizing: Plants need little or no supplemental fertilizer. If desired, spread a thin layer of compost around the base in early spring, or apply a slow-release fertilizer that is especially formulated for trees and shrubs.

Pruning: Newer stems produce the brightest color. When pruning red twig dogwood, remove up to a third of the oldest stems to stimulate new growth. As an alternative, or to rejuvenate older specimens, cut the entire plant back to the ground every two years. Remove dead or diseased growth as needed.

TRY THESE PROVEN WINNERS ® VARIETIES

Red twig dogwood shrubs occur in different colors and sizes. Try these varieties in your landscape:

Arctic Sun ® Bloodtwig Dogwood (Cornus sanguinea) has uniquely colored stems that occur in warm hues of coral, orange and yellow for a dazzling effect in the landscape. The attractive green foliage, white flowers and berries provide color during the rest of the year. Use this medium-sized shrub as hedging or screening.

RED TWIG DOGWOOD FAQ’s

When to prune red twig dogwood?

Pruning is best done in early spring before the leaves emerge and it’s easier to see the plant structure.

How big do red twig dogwoods get?

Size varies according to the variety. Dwarf forms can reach just 2 feet tall and wide, while the largest varieties can be up to 15 feet tall and wide.

Does red twig dogwood spread?

Red twig dogwood spreads through suckering roots to form a dense clump. To control spread, use a sharp-edged shovel to cut back roots around the outer base of the plant.

Where does red twig dogwood grow best?

Red twig dogwood bush is tolerant of a wide range of growing conditions, including wet or poor soil, drought and shade. Red-osier dogwood (Cornus sericea), which is native to North America, occurs naturally in wet areas such as bogs and wetlands. Grow red twig dogwood along a stream or pond, in a rain garden, or woodland setting.

Is red twig dogwood fast-growing?

This suckering shrub can spread rapidly, up to 2 feet in a single growing season.

Is red twig dogwood easy to care for?

This easy-care shrub is forgiving of many different growing conditions. All that’s needed is pruning in early spring, along with light fertilization if desired.

What should red twig dogwood be grown alongside?

Grow red twig dogwoods with other plants that thrive in similar growing conditions, such as Joe-Pye weed, pussy willow (Salix), winterberry (Ilex verticillata), asters, maiden grass (Miscanthus sinensis), azaleas and rhododendrons.

Are red twig dogwood deer resistant?

In most cases, deer will not bother red twig dogwoods, though some grazing can occur if other food sources are scarce.

Red twig vs yellow twig dogwood

There are some varieties of red twig dogwood that produce yellow stems, such as Arctic Fire ® Yellow, which is a common or red-osier dogwood.

RED TWIG DOGWOOD LANDSCAPE DESIGN IDEAS

With four-season appeal and adaptability to a wide range of growing conditions, there are many ways to use red twig dogwood shrub in your landscape.

• Mass along a slope or flood-prone stream bank to help stem erosion.
• Plant a red twig dogwood hedge as screening along a property line.
• Grow in a low area where water collects in combination with other water-loving plants as part of a rain garden.
• Cut the decorative colored stems to use in winter arrangements and holiday displays. See more shrubs for cut branches.
• Combine varieties with different colored stems for a compelling effect in the winter landscape.
• Plant smaller specimens of red twig dogwood in pots alongside other plants with winter interest such as hellebores, cyclamen and holly. Display the pots near your home’s entryway where they can be regularly enjoyed.
• Create a winter garden featuring red twig dogwood and other plants with winter interest such as witch hazel, hellebores, winter heath, honeysuckle and bulbs such as cyclamen and snowdrops.
• Site plants where the low angle of the winter sun can highlight the colored stems.

RED TWIG DOGWOOD COMPANION PLANTS

Red twig dogwood provides food and shelter for songbirds and other wildlife and performs well in many different settings. Combine with other plants with similar cultural needs of full sun to partial shade and tolerance of wet soil.

For a woodland garden, plant alongside:

For a wildlife-friendly landscape, plant with:

For a rain garden or other wet area, such as along a stream or pond, combine with:

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