Shrub
Redosier Dogwood
Cornus sericea or Cornus stolonifera
Features
Creamy white flowers in flat topped clusters in late spring; white to bluish-white fruit in late summer and early autumn; autumn color is purple to red; winter stems are red.
Culture
Full sun; prefers a moist soil, but tolerates both wet and dry sites; tolerates alkaline soil.
Cultivars
- 'Cardinal' - Winter stems bright coral red.
- 'Flaviramea' - Winter stems are yellow.
- 'Isanti' - 5-6 feet tall; bright red winter stems.
- 'Kelseyi' - 2-3 feet tall, winter stems less colorful than the species.
- 'Silver and Gold' - Winter stems are yellow, leaves are green with a creamy edge.
Mature Height
7-10 Feet
Size
Medium
Mature Width
8-10 Feet
(or wider, due to suckering)
Mature Form
Rounded to broad-spreading
Native To:
United States (and Illinois)
USDA Hardiness Zone
2 - 7
Soil Conditions
Dry
Moist, Well-Drained
Wet
Tolerance
Alkaline Soil
Dry Sites
Soil Compaction
Wet Sites
Wind
Exposure/Light Requirements
Full Sun
Uses
Border
Massing
Naturalizing
Screen
Specimen
Foliage Color
Green
Variegated
Fall Foliage Color
Purple
Red
Pests and Problems
Environmental Damage
Fungal Disease
Insect Damage
Additional pests and problems that may affect this plant:
Stem canker is common but can be controlled with annual pruning. Yearly removal of some of the old stems at ground level will reduce the incidence of canker disease and will promote growth of new young stems which will have better winter color.
Additional Notes
Related Resources
Home, Yard & Garden Pest Guide
The Home, Yard & Garden Pest Guide (C1391) provides is written for homeowners and other residents and provides nonchemical and current chemical recommendations for controlling pests associated with trees, shrubs, turf, flowers, groundcovers, vegetables, fruit, and houses. In addition, you'll find detailed information about integrated pest management, pesticide safety, and pesticide application and calibration techniques. This publication may be purchased at your local University of Illinois Extension Unit office, or by calling 800-345-6087, or by placing an order online (search for "C1391").
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Illinois Commercial Landscape and Turfgrass Pest Management Handbook
The Illinois Commercial Landscape and Turfgrass Pest Management Handbook (ICLT) is written for professional applicators and provides nonchemical and current chemical recommendations as well as application timing information for all major pests of turf, woody ornamentals and herbaceous ornamentals. This publication may be purchased at your local University of Illinois Extension Unit office, or by calling 800-345-6087, or by placing an order online (search for "ICLT").
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U of IL - Distance Diagnosis through Digital Imaging
A free plant, weed, insect and disease identification service available through your local University of Illinois Extension office. Center Educators or State Specialists review & respond to information and digital images submitted by local Extension office personnel. Some samples may require further examination or culture work (nominal fee involved) at the U of IL Plant Clinic.
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U of IL - Plant Clinic
Services include plant and insect identification, diagnosis of disease, insect, weed and chemical injury (chemical injury on field crops only), nematode assays, and help with nutrient related problems, as well as recommendations involving these diagnoses. Microscopic examinations, laboratory culturing, virus assays, and nematode assays are some of the techniques used in the clinic.
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