Cornus sericea 'Cardinal'

This wonderful 6-9' multi-stemmed shrub is truly a four-season wonder; handsome, small, creamy-white spring blooms, dark-green ovate leaves spring though summer become stunning shades of rose to wine-red in fall which contrasts gorgeously with the white autumn berries, winter is when this shrub really shines as the fantastic cardinal-red stems absolutely glow. A very easy-going beauty for hedge, mixed boarder or rain garden; an introduction from the University of Minnesota. S-PSh/M-W

With common names like Hart's Rouges, Kinnikinnik and Shoemack, who would expect this North American riparian native to be a vibrant beauty igniting the winter landscape? 'Cardinal' sculpts an unflappable, extremely cold-hardy multi-stemmed shrub that has a lot to offer: fiery red-hued stems in winter, flat-topped clusters of petite white flowers in spring, creamy white summertime fruit, and dark green deciduous foliage manifesting a purple-red fall display. Beloved by gardeners, birds and the azure butterfly, the Red Osier Dogwood prefers rich, somewhat moist soil, but tolerates a variety of sites and can be ensconced near Acer griseum for an intriguing blend of colors and textures. Trim roots to remove unwanted suckers and prune 30% of the old wood in early spring to stimulate brilliant new growth.

Cornus sericea 'Cardinal is a rapid growing, deciduous, multi-stemmed shrub which grows much taller than other cultivars -- reaching 6-9'. With a rounded loose habit, like all, it spreads -- is stoloniferous. It's bright red winter stems are exceptionally showy -- especially against snow. 2.5" clusters of white flowers appear in late spring and continue here and there throughout summer. Flowers are followed by whitish (occasionally bluish) drupes in late summer, probably more ornamental than the blooms. Dark green 2-4" leaves turn attractive reddish purple in Fall. Good for property boundaries, screens.