Hello!

Let's hope for a little sunlight and talk about a great wintertime plant.

Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea) is a large native shrub that is perhaps most ornamental in winter, when its red twigs take center stage. In fact, its red twigs are so famous that the plant is also called Red Twig Dogwood (more about this later). In the landscape, this shrub is a miracle worker. Not only is it pretty, but it is smart, too: it stabilizes slopes, is a great rain garden or streamside plant, and can be easily propagated.

But First, the Basics

Red Osier Dogwood is native to most of the U.S., though not the southern states. It favors full sun to part shade, and tolerates a range of soil moisture levels, from flood-prone stream banks to tough clay soils. It flowers in the late spring to early summer, and is the larval host of the Spring Azure butterfly. The straight species grows six to ten feet tall and wide. For a more compact plant, choose a cultivar like ‘Baileyi.’ Deer may browse the plant, but Red Osier Dogwood is vigorous enough to withstand snacktime.

While it is easy to find at nurseries and even at big-box stores, you’ll want to check the plant tag for the botanical name, Cornus sericea. Don’t go by the common name, as Cornus alba, a European native, is sold as Red Twig Dogwood and looks very similar.

Pruning and Maintenance

In a residential setting, this resilient shrub will look better if you prune it, as the newer “twigs” sport the brightest reds. It can also get a little unruly with age. The trick is to cut one-quarter to one-third of the oldest branches out of the plant every spring, leaving the stem six inches above the soil. You can also rejuvenate an overgrown Red Osier shrub by cutting all of it down to 6 to 12 inches in the spring. It will bounce back! You can use the trimmings to make wattle fencing or take up a basketweaving hobby.

Of course, you don’t need to maintain this shrub at all if your landscape has a natural look. It will spread to create a thicket through layering, a handy technique you can use to make new plants.

Propagation through Layering

Layering is a form of clonal propagation that uses the existing plant. It’s also dead easy to do. In nature, many multi-stemmed shrubs grow branches so tall that they flop to the ground, where they form roots and create another shrub. You can mimic this process at any time of year, especially in spring and fall.

First, identify a long, flexible cane that can reach the ground. Pull it toward the ground and determine the point of contact. Disturb the area so a small patch of soil is exposed. Using a sterilized knife (wipe it with rubbing alcohol first!), lightly nick the cane where it will come into contact with the soil. Use a landscape pin or a brick to secure the cane to the ground.

Over time, the cane will sprout roots and develop into a new plant. Use this technique to daisy-chain shrubs across a landscape, or snip the connection to the host plant and transplant the new shrub in a different location.

Free plants for the whole neighborhood!

Elsewhere:

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Have a good week,

Julie