Red Twig Dogwood for Sale - Buying & Growing Guide

Planting and Care

by John Haryasz | Horticulture Writer and Landscape Designer – last update on June 14, 2022

Planting instructions

The red twig dogwood can adapt to several different soil types but will perform best in consistently moist to wet areas. This species is also able to adapt to either full sunlight or partial shade, so it is relatively easy to find a growing location. Once you do, dig a hole that is significantly wider than the root ball and about as deep as the root ball is tall. Backfill with organically rich soil and provide plenty of water during and after the planting process.

Watering and nutrients

Consistent watering is important for the red twig dogwood during the first few years of its life. During this period, give enough water to keep the soil consistently moist. Once this plant has become established, it can withstand drought periods. Typically, the fertilization needs for red twig dogwoods are low. A single application of a nitrogen-rich fertilizer in the spring will be enough to encourage healthy growth.

Pollination

Although the red twig dogwood has bisexual flowers, it is not a self-pollinating plant. Instead, the flowers that appear on a single plant are incompatible with one another; you’ll need multiple plants for this species to produce fruit. When successful pollination does occur, the red twig dogwood will grow a set of white berries that form in dense clusters across the shrub. Those fruits are edible but tend to have an unfavorable flavor.

Pruning

Prune your red twig dogwood during the late winter to early spring months of February and March. Am to remove any part of the plant that shows signs of disease or is entirely dead. You may also choose to cut this plant to reduce its size and spread. When left unpruned, the red twig dogwood can spread via suckers, colonizing a much larger area than you likely intended for it to grow in.

Pests, diseases, and animals

The most prevalent disease issues that a red twig dogwood will face are canker and twig blight. Whether you grow the original version of this plant or one of the many cultivars that exist, such complications are possible. Plenty of other problems can arise as well for the red twig dogwood. Some of the most common pest infestations for this plant are the result of leaf miners, scale, sawflies, and other widespread garden insects.

Achieving maximum results

One of the more practical uses of the red twig dogwood is as a form of erosion control. Try planting this species on slopes to prevent the soil from washing away during storms. The plant is also ideal for creating large shrub masses. This planting style comes with a downside though, as the red twig dogwood can be difficult to control if it finds favorable growing conditions. Left unchecked, a group of red twig dogwoods can form a dense colony and begin overtaking other plants in your garden.

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