The Red Twig Dogwood (Cornus sericea or Cornus stolonifera) is a deciduous shrub prized by gardeners for its vibrant bark. Yes, red twig dogwoods do bloom, producing small flowers in the spring and early summer. However, the plant is cultivated primarily for its dramatic ornamental quality that appears during the winter months. The flowers are generally considered a secondary feature compared to the striking winter stems.
Appearance and Timing of the Blooms
The blooms of the Red Twig Dogwood appear in late spring to early summer, typically after the shrub has leafed out. These flowers are small and relatively understated, gathering in flat-topped clusters called cymes that can measure up to two and a half inches across. The tiny individual flowers are usually white or creamy-yellow and are mildly fragrant, attracting various insect pollinators, including butterflies and bees.
Following the flowering period, the plant produces small fruits known as drupes. These pea-sized berries generally appear in summer, ripening to white or a pale, bluish-white. The drupes are not appealing to humans, but they serve as a valuable food source for various songbirds and small mammals, providing sustenance from summer into the fall.
Why Red Twig Dogwoods Are Grown
The main appeal of the Red Twig Dogwood is its colorful, bare stems, which provide a striking presence in the cold, gray landscape of winter. Once the leaves drop in autumn, the shrub exposes its brilliant bark, which can range from scarlet and crimson to coral-orange or even bright yellow, depending on the specific cultivar. This vibrant display is most noticeable after the foliage has fallen and before new growth emerges in the spring.
The intensity of the stem color is directly related to the age of the wood. Younger stems, typically those produced in the previous growing season, contain the highest concentration of pigments, resulting in the brightest, most saturated hues. As the stems age, they gradually begin to darken and lose their brilliance, fading to a duller brown or gray. They are often planted against evergreen backdrops or snowy settings to maximize the color contrast.
Essential Pruning for Maximum Color
Since the brightest color is found on new growth, gardeners must practice renewal pruning to maintain intense stem color. This involves systematically removing older, duller stems to encourage the plant to produce vigorous new shoots. The optimal time to perform this pruning is in late winter or early spring, just before the plant begins its new growing cycle.
A common method is to remove approximately one-third of the oldest, thickest stems each year, cutting them down to the ground. This selective removal stimulates the shrub to generate fresh, brightly colored canes that will be the focal point of the next winter season. For a heavily overgrown shrub, a more drastic approach, known as coppicing, involves cutting the entire plant back close to the ground to completely rejuvenate the specimen.