Bloodtwig Dogwood

Bloodtwig dogwood (Cornus sanguinea, Cornaceae) is a deciduous broadleaf shrub from Europe and western Asia, reaching 10 to 13 feet tall. Dull white flowers appear in dense flat-topped clusters (4 to 5 centimeters) from May to June, followed by purple-black fruit (6 millimeters). Fall color ranges from purple to red. The signature feature is blood-red young stems, brightest on the most recent growth, providing strong winter interest.

Bloodtwig dogwood is hardy in Zones 4a to 8b. It is deer-resistant and tolerant of erosion-prone sites. It tolerates renovation pruning with up to 90 to 95 percent removal in late winter to early spring to maximize bright stem color. Maintenance is low and it is suited to rain garden applications. Disease associations include anthracnose, powdery mildew, and others; pest associations include scale insects, dogwood sawfly, and flea beetle. The cultivar 'Midwinter Fire' (4 feet) is the primary selection.