Red-osier Dogwood (Cornus stolonifera)

Cornus stolonifera, commonly known as Red-osier Dogwood, represents one of the most versatile and ecologically valuable native shrubs across North America. This deciduous shrub is renowned for its brilliant red winter stems that provide stunning color during the dormant season, while its clusters of white flowers and blue-white berries offer seasonal interest throughout the growing season. Native to wetlands, streambanks, and moist areas from coast to coast, Red-osier Dogwood serves as a cornerstone species in riparian restoration projects while providing exceptional wildlife habitat and four-season ornamental value for native plant gardens.

📋 Regional plant lists featuring Red-osier Dogwood: Western Oregon & Western Washington

Identification

Red-osier Dogwood is most easily identified by its characteristic bright red stems that become increasingly prominent as the shrub matures and during the winter months. The combination of opposite leaves with distinctive venation, flat-topped flower clusters, and colorful berries makes identification reliable throughout most of the year.

Growth Form and Stems

Red-osier Dogwood develops as a multi-stemmed, spreading shrub that forms colonies through underground stolons (runners). Individual stems typically reach 6-12 feet in height, creating dense thickets that provide excellent wildlife cover and erosion control. The most distinctive feature is the bright red to coral-red coloration of young stems, which is most intense during winter months and on vigorous new growth.

Leaves

The leaves are simple, opposite, and ovate to elliptical, measuring 2-5 inches long. They display the characteristic dogwood leaf venation with prominent curved veins that arch from the midrib toward the leaf tip. Upper surfaces are medium to dark green, while undersides are paler and may have fine pubescence. Fall color ranges from red-purple to orange-red, creating attractive seasonal displays.

Flowers and Fruits

Flowers appear in late spring to early summer as flat-topped clusters (cymes) 1.5-3 inches across. Individual flowers are small and creamy white with four petals and prominent stamens. The flowers are followed by white to pale blue berries in late summer, each containing a hard stone. The berries are an important food source for wildlife but are not palatable to humans.

Native Range

Red-osier Dogwood demonstrates one of the most extensive native ranges of any North American woody plant, occurring from coast to coast and extending far into Canada and Alaska. This remarkable distribution reflects the species’ exceptional adaptability to diverse climatic and environmental conditions.

Geographic Distribution

The species occurs naturally across most of Canada and the northern United States, with populations extending south in mountainous areas and along major river systems. This vast range encompasses virtually every major ecosystem type in North America where adequate moisture is available.

Habitat Preferences

Throughout its range, Red-osier Dogwood consistently occurs in moist to wet habitats including streambanks, lakeshores, wetland edges, and seasonally flooded areas. The species thrives in areas with fluctuating water levels and can tolerate both periodic flooding and moderate drought once established.

Wildlife & Ecological Value

Red-osier Dogwood provides exceptional wildlife value throughout the year, supporting over 40 species of birds and numerous mammals while serving crucial ecological functions in riparian and wetland ecosystems.

Bird Support

The berries are consumed by numerous bird species including woodpeckers, thrushes, vireos, and many others. The dense branching structure provides excellent nesting habitat, while the flowers support various insects that serve as protein sources for breeding birds.

Red-osier Dogwood demonstrates the remarkable adaptability that characterizes Pacific Northwest flora. Over millions of years, species like Cornus stolonifera have evolved specific strategies for thriving in the region’s unique climate patterns, developing characteristics that allow them to make the most of wet winters and navigate dry summers with remarkable efficiency.

The ecological relationships surrounding Red-osier Dogwood illustrate the complex interconnections that define healthy Pacific Northwest ecosystems. From soil microorganisms to large mammals, countless species depend on the resources and habitat structure provided by native plants like Cornus stolonifera. These relationships have developed over thousands of years, creating intricate webs of interdependence that support regional biodiversity.

Understanding Red-osier Dogwood’s role in natural succession helps explain its value in restoration and landscaping applications. As ecosystems recover from disturbance or as gardens mature, different species play important roles at different stages. Red-osier Dogwood contributes to community development in ways that support both immediate ecosystem function and long-term ecological resilience.

Climate change adaptation strategies increasingly recognize the importance of native species like Red-osier Dogwood in building landscape resilience. Plants that have evolved locally possess genetic diversity and physiological adaptations that help them respond to environmental variability. By incorporating native species into both natural and designed landscapes, we support ecosystems’ capacity to adapt to changing conditions.

Mammal Relationships

Deer, elk, and moose browse the twigs and foliage, particularly during winter months. Small mammals including beavers utilize the bark and stems, while the berries provide food for various rodents and other small mammals.

Erosion Control

The extensive root system and spreading growth habit make Red-osier Dogwood exceptional for stream bank stabilization and erosion control projects. The flexible stems can withstand flooding while the dense growth filters runoff and traps sediment.

Growing & Care Guide

Red-osier Dogwood proves remarkably easy to grow when provided with adequate moisture, making it an excellent choice for rain gardens, bioswales, and other challenging landscape situations where many plants fail to thrive.

Planting and Establishment

Plant in spring or fall in locations with consistent moisture access. The species establishes readily from cuttings, making it economical for large-scale restoration projects. Space plants 4-6 feet apart for screen plantings or allow more room for natural colony development.

Maintenance

Regular pruning of older stems encourages vigorous new growth with the brightest red coloration. Remove one-third of the oldest stems annually in late winter to maintain optimal stem color and plant vigor. The species rarely requires fertilization and benefits from organic mulch.

Landscape Applications

Red-osier Dogwood excels in situations where both ornamental value and ecological function are desired, making it indispensable for sustainable landscape design focused on supporting native wildlife while providing year-round interest.

Design Uses

The shrub works beautifully for winter interest plantings, rain gardens, naturalistic borders, and wildlife habitat creation. Mass plantings create spectacular winter displays while providing maximum ecological benefit. The species also works well as a backdrop plant where its dense growth provides screening while supporting diverse wildlife communities.

Red-osier Dogwood represents an exceptional choice for gardeners seeking a low-maintenance native shrub that provides outstanding wildlife value combined with four-season ornamental interest. Its remarkable adaptability and ecological importance make it indispensable for sustainable landscaping throughout most of North America.

Cultural & Historical Uses

Red-osier Dogwood (Cornus stolonifera) holds a significant place in the cultural heritage of Pacific Northwest Indigenous peoples, who developed sophisticated knowledge systems around the region’s native flora over thousands of years. This deep understanding encompassed not only practical applications but also the spiritual and ecological relationships that define healthy landscapes.

Indigenous nations including the Coast Salish, Chinook, and other tribal groups incorporated Red-osier Dogwood into their traditional ecological practices, recognizing its value for various purposes while maintaining sustainable harvesting practices that ensured the species’ continued abundance. Traditional knowledge holders understood the plant’s role in supporting wildlife, maintaining soil health, and contributing to the overall resilience of native plant communities.

Historical records from early European explorers and settlers document the widespread use of Red-osier Dogwood by Indigenous peoples, though much traditional knowledge was lost or suppressed during the colonial period. Today, there is growing recognition of the value of traditional ecological knowledge, and efforts to restore both native plant communities and Indigenous cultural practices often work hand in hand.

In contemporary times, Red-osier Dogwood continues to play important cultural roles in Pacific Northwest communities. The species is increasingly valued for ecological restoration, native landscaping, and environmental education. Its use in restoration projects helps reconnect communities with their natural heritage while providing tangible benefits for local ecosystems and wildlife populations.

Frequently Asked Questions

How fast does Red-osier Dogwood grow?
Red-osier Dogwood exhibits a moderate to fast growth rate under favorable conditions, typically establishing well within the first few growing seasons. Growth rate varies significantly based on site conditions, with optimal growth occurring in locations that closely mimic the plant’s natural habitat preferences. In suitable conditions with adequate moisture and appropriate light levels, you can expect steady annual growth.

Is Red-osier Dogwood deer resistant?
Like most Pacific Northwest natives, Red-osier Dogwood may be browsed by deer and elk, particularly in areas with high wildlife pressure or limited alternative food sources. However, as a native species that co-evolved with these herbivores, it typically recovers well from browsing damage. In areas with consistently heavy deer pressure, young plants may benefit from temporary protection during establishment.

What wildlife does Red-osier Dogwood support?
Red-osier Dogwood provides valuable habitat and food resources for a wide variety of Pacific Northwest wildlife, including native birds, beneficial insects, small mammals, and pollinators. The plant’s role in supporting biodiversity makes it an excellent choice for wildlife gardens, restoration projects, and any landscape designed to provide ecosystem services.

When is the best time to plant Red-osier Dogwood?
In the Pacific Northwest, fall planting (September through November) is typically most successful for native plants, as it allows root system establishment during the mild, wet winter months. Spring planting (March through May) can also be successful, though plants may require supplemental watering during their first summer dry season.

Where can I buy Red-osier Dogwood?
Red-osier Dogwood is available from native plant nurseries throughout Oregon and Washington. When possible, seek out locally-sourced stock grown from regional seed sources, as these plants will be better adapted to your specific area’s climate, soil conditions, and wildlife communities. Many restoration supply nurseries also carry the species for larger-scale projects.