With its ability to spread to form thickets Red Twig Dogwood is very effective in keeping soils intact on steeper slopes. It is often used in wetland restoration sites for this reason. Red stem dogwood is very adaptable to many soils, including those that are wet. In the late summer the flowers morph to dull white berries. During the summer the leaves have a dark green color, but in the fall they take on a dull or rich purple-red color which is very pleasing in the woodland garden.ĭuring the late spring white flower clusters begin to show. The leaf shape is described as ovate with rounded bases and acuminate tips. This species bears deciduous simple leaves, arranged in an opposite arrangement. It has a rounded and spreading habit, but stays loose and open in appearance. This Northwest native deciduous shrub grows to a height of 6’-10’ with an equal to greater spread. The alternative name for this shrub is Redosier Dogwood. Mature shrubs only need watering during dry spells.įeed the plant once a year with a layer of compost or a sprinkling of slow-released fertilizer over the root zone.Description Red Twig Dogwood is best known for its bright red winter stems which add color when it is needed most. Water weekly in the absence of rain for the first couple of months after planting red twig dogwoods, and cut back on the water once the shrub is established. This is a good way to quickly renew the plant, but it leaves a bare spot in the landscape until it regrows. Cut back the entire shrub to 9 inches (23 cm.) above the ground if it becomes overgrown or out of control. After thinning you can shorten the stems to control the height if you’d like. This method of pruning keeps the color bright and the shrub vigorous. Cut out old, weak stems as well as well as those that are damaged, discolored, or growing poorly. Remove about a third of the stems at ground level every year. The primary goal of pruning red twig dogwoods is to remove the old stems that no longer show good winter color. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Images shown are of mature plants 79. Annual pruning is essential to keep the brilliant colors of the twigs. Red Twig Dogwoods bright red branches bring unique color to the winter landscape. Use your trusty heavy duty trowel and dig a hole. After the cuttings are rooted, cut them off directly below the new roots. They develop their intense and showy coloration, usually bright red, in fall and winter. Cornus can be deciduous shrubs or trees, or creeping, woody-based perennials, some with brightly coloured young stems. In order to have bright red colors, you should be pruning your red twig dogwood, as the newer branches have much more vibrant red colors than older branches. The stems are often numerous and beautifully radiate from the base of the shrub. across (240-360 cm), but there are many dwarfs or larger varieties available. Red twig dogwood care is minimal except for pruning. It grows at a fast rate, typically up to 6-9 ft. Overcrowding encourages diseases and causes less attractive, thin stems. They grow up to 8 feet (2.5 m.) tall with an 8 foot (2.5 m.) spread. When planting red twig dogwoods, give them plenty of room. They look fantastic when planted in groups or as an informal hedge. Red twig dogwood is one of those plants where more is better. There are two species of Cornus called red twig dogwoods: Tatarian dogwood ( C. How to Prune a Dogwood Tree The first step in pruning is to remove any dead or dying branches. While both the tree and the shrub belong to the Cornus genus, red twig dogwoods never grow to become trees. Growing a Red Twig Dogwoodĭon’t confuse red twig dogwood trees with other dogwood trees. Both fruits and flowers look good against the dark background of the foliage, but pale in comparison to the brilliant winter display. The shrub produces creamy-white flowers in spring and berries that ripen from green to white by the end of summer. The variegated red-twig dogwood (Cornus alba Elegantissima) is a deciduous shrub that grows to a height of between 6 and 8 feet tall, with a 4- to 6-foot. The stems, which are green in spring and summer, turn bright red when the foliage drops off in autumn. Growing a red twig dogwood is a great way to add spectacular color to the winter garden. Why Red Twig Dogwood Shrub Its a shrub that sparks conversation.with fantastic winter color, weather adaptability, and drought tolerance, the Red Twig.
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