Red Twig Dogwood Shrub

*SHIPS IN 1-3 DAYS How we ship your plants
1 YEAR GUARANTEE

all our plants and trees are now covered by our 1 year guarantee. Learn more

Size
Regular price $58.00

$1500+, BUNDLE20 for 20% off
$3000+, BUNDLE30 for 30% off
$7000+, Contact our sales team

For questions on bulk order discounts
Please contact us at sales@simplytrees.com

1 gallon, 6"
3 gallon, 8 to 10"
5 gallon, 10 to 12"
7 gallon, 14"
10 gallon, 15 to 17"
15 gallon, 17"
"Jumbo", 10 or 15 gallon

Please Note: Sizing can differ between plant varieties. Please chat with us if you need clarification.

For more information on sizing, please see our guide.

The Red Twig Dogwood Shrub, also called Red Osier Dogwood, is a four-season standout famous for its bright red stems that bring color to the winter landscape. In spring and summer, it produces fresh green foliage and clusters of small white flowers, followed by ornamental white berries that attract birds. Fast-growing, cold-hardy, and highly adaptable, this native shrub is a top choice for hedges, borders, erosion control, and adding vivid winter contrast.

  • Botanical name: Cornus sericea
  • Bloom time: Spring to early summer
  • Deciduous
  • Grown in the USA

SUNLIGHT:
Full sun to partial shade

WATER:
Water deeply 1–2 times per week during establishment. After established, water every 7–14 days depending on heat, rainfall, and soil moisture. Prefers consistently moist soil and tolerates wet or boggy conditions better than most shrubs.

LEVEL OF CARE: EASY
Adaptable, fast-growing, and beginner-friendly

PET-FRIENDLY?:
Generally safe for pets

Note: This shrub provides its brightest red stem color on young wood and full sun — pruning older stems encourages fresh, vibrant growth.

Leaves drop in fall, revealing the vivid red stems that shine through winter snow — a normal and highly desirable characteristic.

PLANT DESCRIPTION & MATURE SIZE

The Red Twig Dogwood Shrub, also known as Red Osier Dogwood, is a striking four-season shrub celebrated for its brilliant red stems that glow against winter landscapes. In spring and summer, it offers lush green foliage and clusters of white flowers that develop into decorative white berries. Come fall, the leaves turn shades of burgundy and red before dropping, revealing its bold crimson branches. Cold-hardy, fast-growing, and adaptable, this native shrub brings texture and color year-round to hedges, borders, and naturalized plantings.

GROWTH RATE & MATURE SIZE:

Fast growth rate; reaches mature height of 6–9 ft and mature width of 5–8 ft.

WATERING & SUNLIGHT

Water deeply once or twice per week during the first growing season. After establishment, water every 7–14 days depending on heat and rainfall. This shrub prefers consistently moist soil and tolerates wet areas better than most landscape plants. Red Twig Dogwood grows in full sun to partial shade. For the brightest red stems and best fall foliage, choose a location with plenty of light.

PLANT CARE & PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS

PRUNING:
Prune in late winter or early spring to remove dead stems and encourage vibrant new growth. Cutting older stems near the base promotes the brightest red color, as younger wood shows the best winter display.

FERTILIZING:
Apply compost or a slow-release shrub fertilizer in early spring to support foliage and stem color. Mulching helps retain soil moisture and enrich the root zone naturally.

WINTER PROTECTION:
No added protection needed—this shrub is extremely winter hardy. Its vivid red stems are most visible after leaf drop and remain colorful through snow and freezing weather.

PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS:

Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep as the soil line. Place the shrub level with the surrounding ground, loosen roots if pot-bound, and backfill with native soil. Water thoroughly and spread mulch around the base to hold moisture and suppress weeds, keeping mulch a few inches away from the stems. Continue watering weekly during the first season to establish a strong root system.

USDA GROW ZONE:

Zones 2-7

Red Twig Dogwood thrives across cold northern and mountain climates and is highly tolerant of freezing temperatures. This native shrub adapts well to a variety of soil types—including wet, clay-heavy, and poor soils—and is often used for erosion control and natural screening. It performs best in areas with cool summers and regular moisture. In warmer regions near its upper zone limit, afternoon shade helps reduce heat stress and preserve stem color.

Frequently Asked Questions

A Red Twig Dogwood Shrub typically grows 6–9 feet tall and 5–8 feet wide at maturity, forming a full, rounded shape.

The Red Twig Dogwood Shrub has a fast growth rate; often adding 1–2 feet of new growth per year under good growing conditions.

Plant in full sun to partial shade in a location with consistently moist soil. Ideal spots include borders, low areas that stay damp, drainage paths, pond edges, and rain gardens.

In spring and early summer, the shrub has green leaves and clusters of small white flowers. Late summer brings white berries that attract birds. In fall, foliage turns red or burgundy before dropping, revealing vivid red stems that brighten the winter landscape.

Plant at least 4–6 feet away from buildings, fences, or pathways to allow space for mature width and airflow.

Space shrubs 4–6 feet apart for a dense hedge or 6–8 feet apart for standalone shaping and airflow.

Yes — this shrub thrives in moist or even boggy ground and is often used for stabilizing streambanks, rain gardens, and erosion-prone areas.

The stems stay red year-round but show their brightest color in winter after leaves drop. Color naturally fades slightly on older stems, which is why pruning encourages vivid new growth.

It is considered moderately deer resistant. Deer may browse young shoots occasionally, but the plant typically rebounds quickly due to its fast growth.

Prune in late winter or early spring and remove older, thicker stems at the base, leaving vigorous younger canes. New stems produce the strongest red color.

More Details

We process and ship your order as quickly as possible, typically within 1-3 business days. You will receive a shipping confirmation with tracking information once your item(s) ship.

We have perfected packaging and shipping plants & trees! That is why we DO NOT use any third-party fulfillment like most other online retailers. Your trees go straight from our farm to your door, safely packaged by our team of seasoned professionals. Our process ensures your plants leave our facility and arrive to your door in the best condition possible!

In cases of extreme cold or hot weather, we may temporarily delay shipping to ensure the well-being of your plants. Our primary focus is on delivering healthy and thriving plants to you. Rest assured, we'll make every effort to notify you of any delays promptly.

Please allow additional ship times during inclement weather and sale periods. We do not process or ship orders on the weekend or U.S. Holidays. Simply Trees is not responsible for delays due to carriers, local disruptions, or weather.

See how we pack your plants!

Learn more about our Shipping Policy

At Simply Trees, we're committed to your satisfaction. If your plants arrive considerably damaged or sustained damage beyond the point of recovery, please contact us within five days at sales@simplytrees.com with clear photos of the entire plant in question for assistance. Our 1 year guarantee covers issues after planting, subject to our terms. We can't cover plants in the wrong climate or with inadequate care, but we're here to help in other situations. For a detailed understanding of our 1 year guarantee and how we ensure a fair process, click here to learn more.

All California orders require a mandatory inspection by the Texas Department of Agriculture (yep, it’s a USDA thing!). These inspections happen about once a week—typically on Tuesdays, though the day can vary. If you place an order just after an inspection, your plant may not ship for several days until the next one. Unfortunately, we’re not able to expedite this part of the process.

Also, due to USDA regulations, we’re unable to ship oak trees, citrus or fruit trees (except olive trees) to California. This rule helps prevent the spread of pests and diseases and applies to nurseries across the country.

Thanks for your patience—we’ll make sure it’s worth the wait.

What's inside?

Your order from Simply Trees is more than just a box of plants—it’s a carefully curated experience. Here’s what’s inside:

  • We hand-select our plants for premium-quality from top growers nationwide
  • Each plant is then cleaned, prepped, and pruned to remove any blemishes and encourage new growth
  • Expertly treated and inspected for preventative measure
  • The pot is wrapped in a durable plastic bag and secured with a zip tie; house plants get extra protection with a recyclable nursery bag
  • Your plant is strapped into our durable double-pane boxes, secured in place with a heavy-duty zip tie to ensure safe transit
  • A thank you card with a QR code leads to our guide on welcoming your new plants home

We take pride in making sure every detail is just right, so you can enjoy your new greenery from the moment it arrives.

SUSTAINABLE SHIPPING, QUALITY CARE

We've perfected the art of packaging and shipping plants and trees! Unlike most online retailers, we handle everything in-house—no third-party fulfillment. Our experienced team carefully packages your plants to ensure they arrive from our farm to your door in perfect condition.