Cornus sericea aka Red Osier Dogwood

Taxonomy

Cornus sericea, also known as the red osier or red-osier dogwood, is a flowering plant native to North America. It is a deciduous shrub that can reach up to 2.5m in height. The plant has yellow-green stems that provide a bright display during winter, and green oval leaves up to 11cm long. In early summer, clusters of small yellowish-white flowers, measuring up to 7cm across, bloom and are followed by round white berries in late summer. Commonly referred to as red brush, red willow, redstem dogwood, redtwig dogwood, red-rood, American dogwood, creek dogwood, and western dogwood, it has sometimes been considered synonymous with the Asian species Cornus alba. Western Dogwood, a super rare houseplant, is a member of the Cornus genus and is native to North America. It thrives in direct light, preferably within 1 foot of a window, and requires regular watering to maintain its growth. Western Dogwood prefers soil that retains moisture well, and if repotted each time it doubles in size, it typically does not need additional fertilizers.

Common names

Red Osier Dogwood, Redtwig Dogwood, Redosier Dogwood, Red Willow

How to care for Red Osier Dogwood

Difficulty

Caring for Red Osier Dogwood is a breeze, as it is highly adaptable and forgiving to minor neglect.

Water

Red Osier Dogwood should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Its needs are relatively simple, but one of the most important is making sure its soil is adequately moist. Without proper moisture, the plant can suffer from wilting and stunted growth. To ensure your Red Osier Dogwood is healthy, you must choose a potting soil that retains moisture.

Look for a soil with good drainage to prevent root rot, but also make sure it contains plenty of organic matter. Coco coir and sphagnum moss are both excellent ingredients for retaining moisture and providing the #self.names with the nutrients it needs to thrive. If you can find a soil that has a combination of these ingredients, your #self.names will thank you with beautiful blooms.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the Red Osier Dogwood prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Toxicity

There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.

Fertilizer

The Red Osier Dogwood is characterized by its slow growth and doesn't need fertilization in addition to its potting soil. By renewing the soil in its pot once a year, it should have enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not from any fertilizers.

Region of origin

Red Osier Dogwood’s native range is N. America - Newfoundland to New York, west to Alaska and California. Naturalized in Britain[17].


More info:
Wikipedia