When does red-osier dogwood bloom?

Red-osier dogwood typically flowers from May through July, producing flat clusters of small white blooms at the branch tips.

What pollinators visit red-osier dogwood flowers?

The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and beetles, which visit for nectar and pollen during the bloom period.

How much water does red-osier dogwood need?

This shrub prefers consistently moist to wet soil and is a good fit for streambanks, ditches, and low spots where water collects after rain.

How much sun does red-osier dogwood need?

It grows best in part sun but adapts to conditions ranging from full sun to part shade, especially when soil moisture stays high.

Does red-osier dogwood lose its leaves in winter?

Yes, it is deciduous. After the leaves drop, the smooth red stems remain a notable feature through the colder months.

Is Red-osier Dogwood toxic to dogs?

Red-osier Dogwood is not flagged as toxic to dogs by Plants For A Future (PFAF). This verdict does not come from the ASPCA.

Is Red-osier Dogwood toxic to cats?

Red-osier Dogwood is not flagged as toxic to cats by Plants For A Future (PFAF). This verdict does not come from the ASPCA.

Is Red-osier Dogwood toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Red-osier Dogwood as toxic to livestock.

Is Red-osier Dogwood HOA-friendly?

Red-osier Dogwood is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with moderate maintenance.

Red-osier Dogwood

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Cornus sericea

Last reviewed: September 2026

Cornus sericea is a multi-stemmed shrub with bright red winter stems and clusters of small white flowers from May through July. It thrives in consistently moist to wet soil in part sun and is often used along streambanks and in rain gardens.

Red-osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea) is not flagged as toxic to dogs or cats by Plants For A Future (PFAF) (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-05-21). This verdict does not come from the ASPCA. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Red-osier Dogwood as toxic to livestock.

Light

part sun

Water

high

Size

72"–180" H × 72"–180" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul

Native to

AZ, CA, CO, CT and 31 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, beetles

Deer

Resistant (per Prairie Moon Nursery)

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Coast Range Puget Lowland Marine West Coast Forest Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Central California Valley Southern California Mountains North American Deserts Central Basin and Range Mojave Basin and Range Southern Rockies Arizona/New Mexico Mountains High Plains Southwestern Tablelands Central Great Plains Central Irregular Plains Northwestern Glaciated Plains Northwestern Great Plains Great Plains Piedmont Northern Glaciated Plains Western Corn Belt Plains Northern Forests Northern Lakes and Forests North Central Hardwood Forests Driftless Area Southeastern Wisconsin Till Plains Central Corn Belt Plains Eastern Corn Belt Plains Southern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift Plains Huron/Erie Lake Plains Northeastern Highlands Northeastern Coastal Zone Northern Allegheny Plateau Erie Drift Plain Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Northern Piedmont Southeastern Plains Ridge and Valley Central Appalachians Western Allegheny Plateau Interior River Valleys and Hills Madrean Archipelago Acadian Plains and Hills Eastern Great Lakes Lowlands Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

Red-osier dogwood is a deciduous shrub with striking red stems that provide winter interest. It grows 6-15 feet tall and wide, preferring partial sun and consistently moist soil. White flower clusters in late spring are followed by white berries.

Growing Red-osier Dogwood

Grow Red-osier Dogwood in part sun and high water. Mature plants reach 72 to 180 inches tall and spread 72 to 180 inches wide. Expect moderate maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

How to care for Red-osier Dogwood, by region

How to care for Red-osier Dogwood where it is actually grown: year-round basics plus what to do each season, region by region, with the sources for each.

Care guidance last updated: October 2026

Eastern Corn Belt Plains (includes Columbus, OH)

Year-round

A fast, colorful shrub with red winter stems that likes moisture and spreads on its own.

Plant it in full sun to partial shade, and give it organically rich, consistently moist soil.
It tolerates both wet and dry soil, including heavy clay.
It is hardy in USDA zones 2a to 7b, so Columbus winters are fine.
It spreads by underground stems, and you can root prune with a spade if the spread is unwanted.

In a front yard, yearly renewal pruning and a spade edge keep it neat and HOA-friendly.

Fall

Fall is the time to leave it alone and enjoy it.

Birds and small mammals eat the fruit.
Water newly planted shrubs late into the season, only when it is above 40 F.
Stop watering once the ground freezes.
Hold the big prune until early spring.

Winter

Winter is when the red stems earn their keep.

The red stems are very conspicuous in the winter months.
The bark is dark red, giving color through winter.
Stems are brightest on young growth, so plan renewal pruning for early spring.
The 'Isanti' cultivar is hardy to zone 2.

Spring

Spring is the time for a hard prune that brings back bright stems.

Prune in early spring, since the best stem color is on young vigorous stems.
Cut the oldest stems down to the ground to keep the plant vigorous.
Regular renewal pruning helps prevent stem canker and borers.
It recovers well from heavy pruning because it resprouts from the roots.

Summer

Summer is about steady moisture and watching for stress problems.

It prefers consistently moist soil, so water during dry spells.
When stressed it can get powdery mildew, leaf spot and canker.
Oystershell scale and borers are possible pests.
New plants spread by suckers, so spade out extras.

Sources: NC State Extension Plant Toolbox, Cornus sericea, University of Illinois Extension, Redosier Dogwood, University of Illinois woody plants, Cornus sericea, NDSU Extension, Redosier Dogwood, Purdue Extension, Winter Water

In an HOA neighborhood

Red-osier Dogwood is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: moderate. Tidiness: 3 out of 5.

Works well in: foundation, mid zone.

Can spread aggressively in optimal conditions
Requires regular moisture which may conflict with drought restrictions
May look bare in winter despite colorful stems

Wildlife value

Host plant for spring azure butterfly.

Attracts multiple pollinators including bees, butterflies, and beetles. Birds feed on the berries and the dense growth provides good nesting habitat.

Common questions

When does red-osier dogwood bloom?: Red-osier dogwood typically flowers from May through July, producing flat clusters of small white blooms at the branch tips.
What pollinators visit red-osier dogwood flowers?: The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and beetles, which visit for nectar and pollen during the bloom period.
How much water does red-osier dogwood need?: This shrub prefers consistently moist to wet soil and is a good fit for streambanks, ditches, and low spots where water collects after rain.
How much sun does red-osier dogwood need?: It grows best in part sun but adapts to conditions ranging from full sun to part shade, especially when soil moisture stays high.
Does red-osier dogwood lose its leaves in winter?: Yes, it is deciduous. After the leaves drop, the smooth red stems remain a notable feature through the colder months.
Is Red-osier Dogwood toxic to dogs?: Red-osier Dogwood is not flagged as toxic to dogs by Plants For A Future (PFAF). This verdict does not come from the ASPCA.
Is Red-osier Dogwood toxic to cats?: Red-osier Dogwood is not flagged as toxic to cats by Plants For A Future (PFAF). This verdict does not come from the ASPCA.
Is Red-osier Dogwood toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Red-osier Dogwood as toxic to livestock.
Is Red-osier Dogwood HOA-friendly?: Red-osier Dogwood is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with moderate maintenance.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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