‘Arctic Fire’ Red Twig Dogwood
Cornus stolonifera ‘Farrow’ PP 18523
Other Common Names: Arctic Fire Red Osier Dogwood, Red Brush, Red Willow, Redstem Dogwood, Redtwig Dogwood, Red-rood, Creek Dogwood, Western Dogwood
Plant Details
USDA Cold Hardiness Zones: 3a-8a(8b?) Find Your Zone
Plant Type: Deciduous Flowering Shrub
Height at Maturity: 4-5′
Width at Maturity: 4-5′
Spacing: 4′ for solid hedge; 7′ for space between plants
Growth Habit / Form: Upright, Rounded
Growth Rate: Moderate
Flower Color: White
Flower Size: Small in flat-top clusters
Flowering Period: Late Spring – Early Summer
Flower Type: Single
Fragrant Flowers: Yes
Foliage Color: Medium to Dark Green leaves turning to Red, Orange and Purple in Fall, Bright Red stems in fall!
Fragrant Foliage: No
Berries: Yes, pearl like white berries
Sun Needs: Full Sun to Part Shade; appreciates some shade during the afternoon in hot and humid climates
Water Needs: Average
Soil Type: Clay (amend heavy clay soil to ensure good drainage), Loam, Sand, Silt
Soil Moisture / Drainage: Moist But Well-Drained, Wet
Soil pH: 5.0 – 7.0 (Acidic to Neutral), prefers acid soil
Maintenance / Care: Low, if left to grow naturally
Attracts: Butterflies, Birds, Visual Attention
Resistances: Cold Temperatures (-40F), Deer, Disease, Insect, Wet Soil
Description
Unlike its cousins that grow 6 to 10 feet in height and spread, the ‘Arctic Fire’ Red Twig Dogwood has a more compact habit to only half that size and does not spread by stolons, which makes it a good fit for smaller garden spaces. It is a North American native shrub adored for its upright bright red twigs during winter that will set a snow-white landscape on fire. But the fine attributes don’t stop there. In late spring to early summer, abundant flat-topped clusters of white flowers stand out beautifully against the deep green foliage. Following the flowers are clusters of white, pearl-like berries the birds will thank you for. Fall brings interesting shades of orange and red leaves that eventually turn to purple before dropping to expose the colorful stems. A four-season beauty that deserves a spot in every landscape where it will grow (USDA Zones 3-8a).
Landscape & Garden Uses
Growing 4 to 5 feet tall and equally as wide, the Arctic Fire Red Twig Dogwood is ideal for use as a specimen or in groupings or hedges in sunny to partially shaded landscape and woodland borders. because it tolerates a consistently moist to wet soil it is perfect for those areas where the soil just doesn’t want to dry out. A fine addition to native gardens, red theme gardens, bird and wildlife gardens and cottage gardens.
Suggested Spacing: 3 to 4 feet apart for hedge; 7 feet or more apart for space between plants
Growing Preferences
Red Twig Dogwoods are very easy to grow in most any moist but well-drained to boggy soil of average fertility and full sun to part shade. Appreciates some shade or filtered sun during the afternoon in hot and humid climates. Very low maintenance when left alone and we’ve seen no serious insect or disease problems.
Although pruning is not necessary, many folks choose to remove about 25 percent of the oldest stems in late winter or early spring of each year to encourage growth of new stems which will display the brightest red color. Alternatively, every 2 to 3 years all stems can be cut back to 8 inches above the ground for total renewal.
Plant Long & Prosper!
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