Cornus sericea, Redtwig Dogwood

Best known for its display of striking red stems in winter, Redtwig Dogwood is attractive year-round. In addition to its unusual red stems, it puts out frothy clusters of tiny white flowers on the ends of the branches in spring. By autumn, these become white or bluish-white berries that birds like. Fall leaf color is commonly bright red to purple. Deciduous in winter, when the colorful display of red stems will be most noticeable.

This is an ideal plant to use in a place where you want a thicket as it will spread readily by underground stolons to form dense clumps. It commonly grows along streambanks so moisture and rich, loamy soil will enhance this tendency. It will spread less under drier garden conditions. Give it full sun to full shade. For optimal color, plant in sun and prune in early spring. Gets 7–15 ft tall by 9–15 ft wide. Deer will browse it.

May be labeled Cornus stolonifera at nurseries.