Cornus sericea Seeds | Red Osier Dogwood
LATIN NAME: Cornus sericea
COMMON NAME: Red Osier Dogwood
Plant Profile
Cornus sericea, commonly known as Red Osier Dogwood, is a deciduous shrub in the dogwood family, native to north american. It spreads quickly by suckering roots into a dense thicket, and it stands bitter cold and wet, rich soils well. Plant it in full sun with deep, fertile ground. When it flowers, local bees and other insects make good use of it. Not many plants ask so little and repay so much.
Science & Biotechnology
The species features in the wider study of the dogwood family, and its traits make it a useful subject for work on germination biology, cultivation and ornamental selection. Species has also been studied in botany, since it is a member of dogwood family, and its classification and its relationships have been examined. Gardeners benefit directly from its long cultivation: what the plant will do in a garden is well understood.
Uses & Benefits
Red Osier Dogwood works well in borders, containers and dedicated beds. Ecologically, red osier dogwood is a generous shrub of the northern wetland. Its creamy flowers feed bees and other insects, its berries feed birds and wildlife, and its thickets give shelter and hold stream banks, while its red stems brighten winter landscape. For a grower, red osier dogwood is an easy and rewarding shrub, and for a gardener it brings creamy bloom and brilliant red stems to winter garden. Given the right start, it carries on with minimal intervention.
Cornelian cherry fruits, Shan Zhu Yu, are a classical Chinese astringent tonic herb and a tart, vitamin-rich fruit for preserves; the genus’s iridoid glycosides, loganin and morroniside, are studied for kidney-protective effects.
Growing from Seed
Red Osier Dogwood is one of those generous plants that come along well from seed. A simple routine works well: sow evenly over the surface and cover lightly in a loose, well-drained seed compost, maintain even moisture, and provide full sun. A spell of cool, moist conditions ahead of sowing brings the seed along nicely and supports even germination. Shift the seedlings into small pots as soon as they can be handled, and give them bright light until planting-out time.
Our Take
Red Osier Dogwood has real presence in the garden without demanding much in return. A few weeks of cold, moist stratification before sowing mirrors its natural cycle.
Related Reading
Gardeners who grow Red Osier Dogwood often pair it with these related subjects: