Redosier Dogwood

You recognize Red-Osier Dogwood by its creeping stems rooting at nodes, small white flower clusters, white berry fruits, and especially its bright red-purple winter twigs along cool, moist PNW riparian zones. This native groundcover-shrub stabilizes wet banks and provides wildlife food.

Red-Osier Dogwood spreads 6-10 feet wide by 4-6 feet tall via rooting stolons in sun to part shade with high moisture needs (zones 2a-8b). It thrives in wet, moist, or even temporarily flooded soils. Fast-growing and colonizing, it suits riparian restoration and erosion control. Annual winter pruning encourages reddest twig display. Monitor for various cankers, leaf spots, and fungal infections; several documented insect pests require seasonal attention.