Red osier dogwood Cornus sericea
Red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea) is a deciduous perennial shrub in the Cornaceae family, native to North America (wet thickets and stream banks). It grows 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) tall and 2–3.5 m (6.6–11 ft) wide, wants full sun and high water, and is hardy to about -40 °C (-40 °F). Space plants about 2 m (6.6 ft) apart.
Plan Red osier dogwood in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Red osier dogwood at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Cornaceae |
| Mature height | 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) |
| Mature spread | 2–3.5 m (6.6–11 ft) |
| Spacing | 2 m (6.6 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance high |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -40 °C (-40 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 32 °C (90 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | North America (wet thickets and stream banks) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇷🇺 Russia |
Is Red osier dogwood toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
- Parts: berries
Berries are bitter and may upset the stomach; toxicity is poorly documented.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Red osier dogwood
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and high water.
See Red osier dogwood in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Jardin botanique de Montréal (6 plants)
Questions about Red osier dogwood
- How far apart should I plant Red osier dogwood?
- About 2 m (6.6 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 2–3.5 m (6.6–11 ft).
- Does Red osier dogwood need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Red osier dogwood need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance high.
- How cold-hardy is Red osier dogwood?
- It tolerates about -40 °C (-40 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- When does Red osier dogwood flower?
- From about May for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Red osier dogwood poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people mildly toxic. Berries are bitter and may upset the stomach; toxicity is poorly documented.
- What grows well with Red osier dogwood?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Red osier dogwood. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Grown mostly for red winter stems; cut a third of the oldest stems to the ground each spring to keep the colour.
- Suckers to form colonies.
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Flowering dogwood Cornus florida
- Kousa dogwood Cornus kousa
- Cornelian cherry Cornus mas
- Bunchberry Cornus canadensis
- Bigleaf hydrangea Hydrangea macrophylla
- Rhododendron Rhododendron
- Boxwood Buxus sempervirens
- Oleander Nerium oleander