Cornus sericea

Red Osier Dogwood
Cornus sericea (or c. stolonifera)
Type: Deciduous Native Shrub
Exposure: Sun / Shade
Water: Regular to Ample

This shrubby variety of Dogwood grows wild in moist locales from Alaska to Northern Califoria, and unlike many native plants in the Pacific Northwest, it puts on a dazzling show of Autumn foliage.

Growing to 9ft (2.7m) high, this guy forms a multi-stemmed shrub which will form a thicket as wide as 12ft (3.6m) by underground stems and rooting branches. Spring foliage emerges a fresh green color, and 2in (5cm) clusters of creamy white flowers decorate the plant throughout the summer. These ripen into white berries that accompany the yellow/ red/ burgundy fall foliage. Spreading can be controlled by cutting underground stems with a shovel, and by trimming back any branches that touch the ground. This is often cut back hard in late winter or early spring to keep the habit dense and compact, and to rejeuvenate growth.

Bloom photo courtesy of www.portlandnursery.com

Cheers,

John