Cardinal red twig dogwood
Cornus sericea 'Cardinal'
MBG Plant of Merit 2000
USDA zones3 to 8
SunHandles full sun to partial sun
WaterHandles dry to wet soil
Size6 to 9 feet tall8 to 12 feet wide
- Growth rate
- Rapid
- Habit
- Erect
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer, autumn, winter
- Bloom color
- White
- Fall color
- Yes
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay, chalk
- Soil pH
- Acid, alkaline, neutral
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
'Cardinal' red twig dogwood (Cornus sericea 'Cardinal') is a shrub for borders, hedges, winter interest, and rain gardens. It is hardy to USDA zone 3, or down to -40°F (-40°C). This plant likes full or part sun and dry to wet soil of most types. White flowers bring butterflies and bees, and birds visit too. The stems show off in winter, and the leaves turn color in fall. It sits low on the menu for deer.
Pairs well with White fringe tree, Switchgrass, and Goldsturm black-eyed Susan.