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Cornaceae
Red Osier Dogwood Flower
Cornus sericea
Year-round beauty and steadfast presence.
- Family
- Cornaceae
- Genus
- Cornus
- Native to
- North America
- Bloom season
- Late Spring, Early Summer
- Type
- deciduous shrub
- Height
- 150–400 cm
- Sunlight
- full sun to part shade
- Soil
- moist, well-drained to wet
- Water
- high; thrives in wet areas
- Hardiness
- 2–8
- Lifespan
- perennial shrub; 20+ years
Did you know
- The bright red winter stems are its main ornamental feature, glowing like beacons against snow.
- The white berries are eaten by over 100 species of birds, making it one of the best wildlife shrubs.
- Indigenous peoples across North America used the inner bark in kinnikinnick, a traditional smoking mixture.
- Red osier dogwood roots aggressively along stream banks, making it invaluable for erosion control.
- The name 'osier' comes from the French word for willow, referring to the flexible, wand-like stems.
Color meanings
White
winter fortitude and streamside grace