UT Gardens' Plant of the Month:
Redtwig Dogwood

Submitted by Andrew Pulte

A true plant of merit in any winter garden, redtwig dogwood – Cornus sericea (stolonifera) – stands out as a favorite this time of year. As the common name suggests, one of this dogwood’s greatest features are the brilliantly colored red stems that come into full glory during the winter. These stems are particularly attractive against the backdrop of a newly fallen snow. Alongside snow in the winter landscape it sparkles against the sharp contrast of red on white. However, you don’t need a constant blanket of snow to enjoy this plant. The redtwig dogwood adds beauty and sculptural interest to any garden.

The name Cornus sericea is derived from the Latin word cornu meaning “horn or antler” and the Greek work serikos meaning “silken” or “of silk.” This most likely refers to the hardness of the wood and the soft silky hairs present on its flower buds.

Redtwig dogwood occurs naturally in North America all the way from Alaska to Northern Mexico. It tolerates a variety of soil conditions and prefers to be in full sun or partial shade. This dogwood is also valuable as a stabilizer for disturbed sites. Its dense root system and ability to grow rapidly make it a great choice for hillsides and stream banks.

Redtwig dogwood is also a part of Native American culture. The brightly colored stems have been used for basket weaving, various tonics, and dyes. Many gardeners plant redtwig dogwood for wildlife as its multi-stemmed habit makes it a great hide-out for native songbirds. The shrub can also be a food source for both small and large mammals.

Left un-pruned this plant can reach nearly 9 feet in height and 9 feet in width. However, most choose to cut out older wood on a semi-annual basis, which keeps the plant in check and allows for the best stem color.

Growth Habit: Un-pruned, a 9 ft x 9 ft multi-stemmed clumping shrub

Growing Conditions: Accepts many soil conditions; prefers full-sun to partial shade

Landscape Merit and Use: Best used in mass; has four-season interest including nice spring blooms, but is most admired for its stem color

Popular Selections:

'Cardinal' – A common form with bright red stems in winter

'Flaviramea' – a form whose stems turn bright yellow in winter

'Kelseyi' – A true dwarf form that grows to 3 ft tall

Andrew Pulte is a graduate student in the University of Tennessee Department of Plant Sciences. He works under the guidance of Dr. Susan Hamilton, director of the UT Gardens. The UT Gardens are a project of the Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station. The original gardens are located in Knoxville on Neyland Drive. Additional gardens are located in Jackson on Airways Blvd. Admission is free, and the Gardens are open to the public seven days a week during daylight hours. More information is available online at http://utgardens.tennessee.edu

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Contact:

Patricia C. McDaniels, (865) 974-7141