Dogwood, Red Osier (Bareroot)

Red Osier Dogwood serves as an excellent soil stabilizer and offers distinctive beauty throughout the seasons. We offer this species as bareroot stock for late fall and early spring dormant planting, allowing the root system to settle before top growth begins. This format is cost-effective for larger restoration projects or extensive hedgerow plantings. When planted correctly in a well-prepared site, these shrubs establish reliably to provide long-term ecological value.

Known botanically as Swida sericea, this shrub features roundish, smooth leaves that transition to colorful foliage in the autumn. During the winter months, the bright red twigs are revealed, providing a vivid pop of color against a snowy backdrop. In early summer, clusters of small white flowers attract butterflies, followed by whitish fruits in August that draw flocks of birds.

This species is a strong choice for stabilizing soil along a stream or riparian buffer due to its spreading habit. It can also be maintained as a standalone shrub in a garden setting or integrated into hedgerows. Red Osier Dogwood thrives in moist, well-drained soils and tolerates standing water, performing best in full sun to part shade. It serves as a larval host for the Spring Azure and Summer Azure butterflies, reaching approximately 9 feet tall and 7 feet wide at maturity.

Planting bareroot stock ensures that the shrub can direct energy toward root development early in the season. With consistent moisture, Red Osier Dogwood contributes to wildlife habitat and erosion control with minimal maintenance. This hardy native shrub is a practical addition to wet sites and conservation plantings.