How to Grow and Care For Red Twig Dogwood

Again in my 20s I acquired severe in regards to the artwork of winter decor. I needed to take the precious wreath-making abilities my mom taught me to a better stage.

So I started to check the person items of what constitutes engaging, eye-catching shows. And I made an necessary discovery: pink twig dogwood.

Pink twig dogwoods are deciduous shrubs within the Cornus genus. Relying on the place you reside on this planet, yow will discover pink twig varieties and cultivars of assorted species within the genus.

On this article, I’ll be overlaying the species mostly grown in house gardens: C. alba, C. sanguinea, and C. sericea.

The second I recognized this group of vegetation as an integral participant within the winter decor and gardening recreation, I felt like I’d received the lottery.

At first, again then, I might go to nice lengths to scavenge and forage in forests for the colourful pink twigs – climbing throughout fields, mucking by way of swamps. It was a number of work. So after I lastly had my very own land to domesticate my dearest plant buddies, these dogwoods positively made the record of must-haves.

At the moment, in my backyard, I’ve three several types of pink twig dogwoods rising, and I’m going to share all about the best way to develop and take care of these vibrant shrubs.

Right here’s a fast overview of what I’ll cowl on this article:

In case you’re able to take your winter gardening to the subsequent stage with pink twig dogwood, let’s bounce proper in!

What Is Pink Twig Dogwood?

Cornus is a genus within the Coraceae household of flowering timber and shrubs recognized for his or her engaging timber and flowers and their distinctive, vibrantly coloured bark, generally often known as dogwoods.

There are roughly 50 completely different species inside the genus and the colours of their bark vary from acid inexperienced, to orange, yellow, and pink. A lot of the varieties generally known as “pink twig dogwoods” are from the species C. alba, C. sanguinea, and C. sericea.

The intense or deep pink colour of their bark is most pronounced in youthful stems and most frequently noticed or noticeable through the winter after the shrubs have dropped their leaves.

Apart from the identify pink twig dogwood, every of the three species goes by a number of different widespread names.

C. alba is often known as tartarian or tatarian dogwood, red-barked, Siberian, and white-berried dogwood. It’s native to Siberia, northern China, and the Korean peninsula.

C. alba was beforehand categorized as C. pumila and Swida alba so you might typically see it labeled with these synonyms.

C. sanguinea, often known as widespread dogwood, typically goes by blood twig, European, and swamp dogwood. This species is native to Europe and western Asia.

C. sericea is often often known as pink osier or American dogwood, because it’s native to North America. Moreover, it’s typically mistaken for C. alba.

There are a lot of varieties and cultivars inside these three species, and never all of them function the pink branches that give them the moniker “pink twig dogwood.” On this article, we’ll concentrate on the pink twig varieties.

Typically, these shrubs can vary anyplace between 4 to fifteen ft tall and from three to fifteen ft large at maturity. They attain full maturity inside about 5 to 10 years.

Pink twig dogwoods start their annual progress cycle in spring with buds that open into clusters of small, white flowers, attracting bees and butterflies. As summer time approaches, these flowers give option to white or bluish-greenish berries, that are common with birds.

Leaves emerge to a lush stable inexperienced, or delicate shades of gold. Some cultivars have variegated foliage with engaging white, cream, or yellow with inexperienced mixtures.

Come fall, the leaves rework into shades of deep gold, orange, purple, and pink providing an excellent autumn show. In winter, the foliage falls away to disclose the signature brightly coloured stems, creating putting visible curiosity towards a snowy or lackluster backdrop.

This seasonal development showcases the numerous decorative qualities of the pink twig dogwoods all year long. These shrubs are low upkeep and develop efficiently in USDA Hardiness Zones 2 to eight, relying on the species.

We’ll cowl extra on care and upkeep later, nevertheless it’s price mentioning right here that to provide these coveted pink twigs, common pruning is critical to refresh the expansion as a result of the youngest branches are additionally essentially the most brightly coloured.

Earlier than we transfer to care, although, let’s discover the historical past and origin of those beauties.

Cultivation and Historical past

The great thing about pink twig dogwood solely showcases one aspect of its character. Culturally, it boasts a historical past of practical makes use of.

Native People used the bark of C. sericea in dyes and basket weaving, they usually additionally added it to their smoking tobacco. The robust branches made terrific handles for instruments.

These shrubs serve nicely in riparian zones, shelterbelts, woodlots, and plenty of different areas focused for ecological reclamation and naturalization. They stabilize the soil, entice pollinators, and feed wildlife, making them a perfect plant for agroforestry designs.

Whereas birds and small mammals would possibly benefit from the berries of pink twig dogwoods, you, as a human, won’t. Though they’re technically edible, they’re bitter-tasting and may trigger gastrointestinal misery.

First Nations peoples consumed them however would usually mix the berries with different candy fruits like Saskatoon berries.

Now that we’ve acquired a good suggestion of what pink twig dogwood shrubs are, and why they’re common, let’s take a better look, starting with the best way to propagate these vegetation.

Pink Twig Dogwood Propagation

Pink twig dogwoods could be propagated by way of just a few completely different strategies together with from seed, by taking cuttings, by division, and naturally by transplanting a container-grown plant bought from a good grower.

From Seed

Whereas it’s potential to gather seeds and develop pink twig dogwood vegetation from these seeds, the method is difficult, time-consuming, and unpredictable.

Most of the shrubs you purchase from greenhouses and nurseries are cultivated varieties and seeds is not going to develop true to the guardian plant.

Moreover, pink twig shrubs rising within the wild have seemingly cross-pollinated with neighboring dogwoods.

In case you’re eager to gather seeds and try rising a pink twig dogwood by way of this methodology, you’ll want to choose the ripe berries in fall and mash them as much as extract the seed.

The seeds require cold-stratification, which might both be achieved by direct sowing recent seed outdoor in fall, or preserving them within the fridge for 2 to a few months earlier than sowing in spring.

After stratification, you may sow the seeds in a shallow tray of potting soil or straight within the floor in spring. Keep even moisture within the soil.

When seedlings have reached about two inches tall, pot them up into particular person three- to six-inch containers.

As soon as seedlings have reached six to eight inches tall, they are often planted out into the backyard, ideally in spring or fall.

Study extra about the best way to begin dogwoods from seed in our information.

From Cuttings

A extra dependable methodology of propagation is to take stem cuttings.

You may take softwood cuttings in spring or summer time, or hardwood cuttings in fall, after the leaves have fallen from the plant.

Softwood

Clip four- to six-inch lengths of younger stems, defoliate the underside half, and dip the minimize finish in rooting hormone. Then stick the dipped finish right into a shallow tray of potting soil. It’s greatest to begin a lot, in case a few of them fail.

Hold the soil persistently moist and canopy the tray with plastic that enables for some air flow, propped up so it doesn’t make contact with the cuttings. This can hold the quick air across the new vegetation moist and heat.

Place them in a sunny location, with brilliant, oblique gentle.

Whenever you discover new progress, pot up the cuttings into particular person three- to six-inch containers. Keep a constant stage of moisture with out drowning the roots. An excessive amount of moisture could cause rot.

As soon as the cuttings are about six to eight inches tall, you may plant them out into the backyard, ideally in spring or fall to keep away from summer time warmth.

Hardwood

Hardwood cuttings are an much more dependable methodology of propagating pink twig dogwoods. This methodology is sluggish however is often very profitable.

First, choose a wholesome trying younger shoot that’s lower than a yr outdated. Take away the tip, then minimize the twig into six- to nine-inch lengths. Make a clear, angled minimize above a bud on the high of every part.

On the base of every chopping make a straight minimize. That is the top that will likely be rooted. Dip this finish in rooting hormone and tuck it right into a ready trench outdoor.

Your trench must be made in well-draining, fertile soil in a location that’s sheltered from the wind.

Stick the cuttings into the ditch in order that about one third sits above the soil, with at the least two buds uncovered. Agency the soil across the cuttings and preserve constant moisture.

New aboveground progress is indicative of profitable root formation, which can take a number of months, and at this level, the clones could be transplanted elsewhere if desired.

From Suckers

Many pink twig dogwoods produce suckers, and it’s potential to divide these suckers to provide new vegetation.

Start by digging fastidiously near the realm of the sucker you want to take away from the guardian plant.

Expose the part of roots you want to divide. Lower the part free from the guardian plant ensuring to incorporate the stems and roots of the sucker. Fill within the gap the place you eliminated the division and agency the soil on the base of the guardian plant.

Subsequent, take your sucker, trim the aboveground progress by roughly half its authentic peak. This can encourage new, vigorous progress after transplant.

In case your division is small, and you’re taking it within the spring, you may foster it in a container through the summer time earlier than planting out within the fall in case you like.

As a result of these are vigorous growers, it’s positive to plant divisions straight within the floor so long as you are inclined to their wants as required.

Transplanting

The best option to get began with a pink twig dogwood is to buy a shrub from a greenhouse or nursery and transplant it into the backyard in early spring or fall. I’ll stroll you thru the method.

First, you should definitely select an applicable planting web site. I’ll cowl every part your pink twig dogwood must dwell its greatest life within the subsequent part, so be happy to circle again right here later if you could.

Begin by digging a gap that’s twice as large and the identical depth as the foundation ball of your shrub. Relying on the stage of progress your plant is at, this may very well be anyplace from six inches to 2 ft large.

Subsequent, take away your plant from its container and study the roots. Clip away any twisted or broken roots and loosen those who have grow to be potbound.

If roots are severely potbound, make just a few cuts into the foundation ball along with your hori hori or a pointy knife to create some area within the root ball.

So long as your soil is in good situation, you shouldn’t want so as to add amendments as these vegetation are fairly resilient.

In case you’re like me and also you wish to give your new vegetation the very best likelihood at survival, scoop in a shovelful of well-rotted compost and blend it into the soil you faraway from the planting gap.

Set the plant in place, aiming for the highest of the foundation ball to be stage with the encircling floor.

Backfill with soil, gently tamping across the roots as you’re employed. Whenever you’re completed, give your new transplant a pleasant drink of water. This must be at the least two or three gallons.

If the soil settles fairly a bit whereas watering, add extra soil to the floor. Apply a two- to three-inch layer of mulch over the foundation zone to help in moisture retention and to insulate the weak roots from excessive warmth or chilly.

Now that you’re aware of all of the methods to propagate pink twig dogwood shrubs, let’s take a better have a look at all the weather these vegetation must dwell their greatest lives.

The way to Develop Pink Twig Dogwood

Pink twig dogwoods are appropriate for cultivation in USDA Hardiness Zones 2 to eight, relying on the kind. They develop greatest in full solar to half shade. 

They like loamy soil with a pH of 5.5 to eight.5, however some will do positive in different soil varieties, so long as it’s moist, but well-draining. Some varieties will even tolerate moist soils, which is the rationale you’ll usually see swaths of pink twigs rising in ditches and swampy or boggy areas.

Most pink twig dogwoods are quick growers and a few sucker freely, so test the anticipated mature peak and width of your plant on the tag that accompanies it so you may plan your spacing accordingly.

These shrubs sometimes attain their most measurement someplace between 5 and 10 years outdated.

Though pink twig dogwoods would possibly have the ability to tolerate a dry spell and bounce again after the subsequent rainfall, to maintain them as wholesome as potential, you should definitely irrigate in occasions of drought.

These shrubs are low upkeep, save for some pruning if you wish to hold their measurement in test and encourage their vibrant pink colour. I’ll talk about pruning together with different suggestions for upkeep of those shrubs later, so hold studying!

Rising Ideas

• Select a planting web site in full solar to half shade.
• Plant in loamy soil that’s moist, but well-draining.
• Area plantings in keeping with the shrub’s measurement at maturity.

Pruning and Upkeep

There are three causes to prune pink twig dogwoods: to maintain them wholesome, to regulate their form, and to encourage new progress that produces the brightest pink colour.

The most effective time to prune your pink twig dogwoods is whereas the shrubs are dormant, in late winter or early spring.

Take away any broken, damaged, crossed, or unhealthy branches by chopping them on the base of the plant, simply above the soil line.

As they’re vigorous growers, these woody shrubs can grow to be fairly massive in a short time. If you wish to include them and management their measurement, don’t be afraid of giving them a tough pruning.

In late summer time, you’ll discover that younger stems will flip pink and the colour will intensify all through the winter. As soon as the stems attain about three years outdated, they start to fade to a uninteresting inexperienced, brown, or grey colour.

Lower these stems on the base of the plant as a part of your common pruning routine. The plant will reply by sending out recent, new progress frequently.

These shrubs will tolerate rejuvenation pruning, which might renew an outdated, unproductive shrub. In case your pink twig dogwood has been uncared for and isn’t producing pink branches as you’d like, minimize it again to about six to eight inches from the bottom.

Though it should depart an empty area in your panorama or backyard for a season, it should rapidly fill again in with recent, vibrant pink progress.

Comply with this up with yearly pruning, eradicating about 30 p.c of the most important branches every spring. This can put your pruning schedule again on observe.

Quick-spreading suckers are very useful for controlling erosion. But when your dogwood is spreading wider than you’d like, management it by eradicating suckers.

Use a spade or sharp shovel and a few good old style brute power to stomp by way of and minimize the suckers and their roots away from the bottom of the plant.

After pruning in early spring, end your upkeep by topping up the layer of mulch to about two to a few inches deep, from the bottom of the plant to the drip line.

This could cowl the foundation zone, however not contact the stems. Hold the mulch two inches away from the stems.

As I’ve talked about, these shrubs are very low upkeep. Guarantee they’ve constant moisture, prune to encourage new wholesome progress, management suckering if desired, and mulch to retain soil moisture. Not a lot work to get that vibrant winter colour you’re on the lookout for.

Pink Twig Dogwood Species and Cultivars to Choose

With a variety of types and cultivars to select from throughout many of the United States and Canada, you’ll seemingly discover many fascinating pink twig dogwoods in your native area.

 I’ve acquired three completely different specimens rising in my gardens right here in Zone 5b and I couldn’t be happier with them.

Herbivores

I often advocate defending the decrease trunks and stems of younger fruit-producing shrubs with some type of bodily barrier.

It is because animals like rabbits and deer prefer to nibble on immature progress of a few of these vegetation.

With my pink twigs, nonetheless, I didn’t do that they usually have been by no means considerably bothered.

This may very well be as a result of there have been different fascinating vegetation the herbivores have been drawn to in my gardens. Nevertheless it’s a wise concept to guard younger transplants for the primary season whereas they grow to be established.

As a result of pink twigs are multi-stemmed shrubs, trunk wraps and spirals is not going to work. As a substitute, form a size of hen wire right into a cylinder across the base of your plant and safe it into the bottom with stakes.

As for birds, I’m by no means involved with defending the berries from them as a result of they aren’t a part of my weight loss program.

In reality, I exploit my pink twigs and different inedible shrubs to feed the birds. Birds assist management undesirable bugs and inspiring their presence in our gardens is an efficient factor! So let the birds feast!

Bugs

A number of completely different sorts of bugs will feed on these shrubs, and you may examine them in our information to dogwood pests.

I’ve highlighted just a few you must look ahead to in your pink twig dogwoods.

Dogwood Borer

Dogwood borer, Synanthedon scitula, is the larvae of a clearwing moth. The moth appears to be like just like a wasp and females lay their eggs on the bark of the plant.

The larvae measures below an inch lengthy at maturity and off-white in colour with a darkish head.

Borers enter the plant by way of a gap or wound, crawl inside and feed on the cambium, inflicting the department to die.

You would possibly discover early leaf drop or leaves turning pink sooner than traditional. You may also see frass, that appears like sawdust on or close to the plant.

As a result of these bugs enter by way of holes, take care to not trigger harm as you carry out upkeep akin to weed whacking round your shrubs.

In case you establish these borers consuming your dogwood, prune away the affected branches.

Dogwood Membership Gall Midge

The dogwood membership gall midge, Resseliella clavula, is a tiny fly, nearly too small to see except you look carefully.

It’s lower than one-eighth of an inch lengthy and it lays eggs on terminal shoots of your plant. When the eggs hatch, the larvae transfer into the close by shoot.

Because the larvae feeds, swollen galls type on the branches – they are often as much as one inch in diameter.

Within the fall, the larvae emerge from the gall and fall to the bottom under the place they overwinter and later rework into grownup flies to start the cycle once more.

Since infestations not often develop uncontrolled, simply prune the galls as you see them and get rid of them within the rubbish.. This destroys the larvae and ends the cycle.

Horse Chestnut Scale

Horse chestnut scale, Pulvinaria regalis, are bugs that feed by sucking sap from the host plant.

They’re small, often about 4 to 5 millimeters in diameter, brown coloured, and spherical at maturity.

These bugs observe a one-year generational cycle, starting in June or July when the eggs hatch. Nymphs transfer to the undersides of leaves the place they feed. Within the fall, they migrate to the bark the place they overwinter and start feeding once more in early spring.

Mature scale bugs have a protecting shell and after they lay eggs below their our bodies, these are sheltered beneath. After the eggs are laid, the grownup dies, and the eggs finally hatch a month or so later.

These bugs not often trigger severe harm to dogwoods. You may attempt scraping eggs and adults off your vegetation or clipping away infested sections. Encourage useful predators like ladybugs, parasitoid wasps, and birds as these eat scale as a part of their diets.

Illness

Our information to widespread dogwood ailments covers intimately the potential points you might face. Right here’s a have a look at a number of the ailments that generally have an effect on pink twig dogwood vegetation.

Anthracnose

Dogwood anthracnose, aka Cornus anthracnose, is attributable to the fungus Discula destructiva. And it’s a extreme dogwood illness.

Gentle brown spots, typically with darker edges, first seem on leaves and flowers. Leaves finally grow to be dry and the blotches enhance in measurement.

From the leaves, the an infection can unfold to shoots, branches, and stems the place it causes cankers to type, which might girdle the department and kill it.

Powdery Mildew

Powdery mildew is a illness attributable to the fungus Erysiphe pulchra, previously often known as Microsphaera pulchra.

Frequent in dense, shady areas, this fungus can develop uncontrolled because of poor air circulation and damp circumstances.

It causes leaves to seem as if they’re lined in a positive, white mud and infrequently look scorched, dry, and discolored. Defoliation might happen in extreme instances.

Most instances of powdery mildew seem in late summer time, towards the top of the rising season. For that reason, many gardeners select to not deal with it because the leaves will start to fall quickly anyway.

Clear up and destroy affected fallen leaves and prune out lifeless or severely affected branches. Common annual pruning encourages higher air circulation between the branches.

If powdery mildew begins early within the season, you would possibly think about using a fungicide, however to be efficient, you could apply it instantly if you first discover signs.

You may study extra about the best way to handle powdery mildew in our information.

Spot Anthracnose

Spot anthracnose is a fungal illness attributable to Elsinoe corni. It often seems after intervals of excessive humidity or prolonged, frequent rainfall.

Because the climate clears up, and issues start to dry out you’ll discover apparent indicators.

Tiny brown to purplish spots seem on the flowers and the petals would possibly start to wrinkle and grow to be distorted. The illness can then transfer to the leaves, the younger shoots, and the fruits.

Critical an infection not often happens, but when it does grow to be extreme or repeat the subsequent yr, it may well stress the plant and weaken it.

As a result of the fungus can survive winters on plant materials, trim away any affected areas and get rid of it within the trash. Take into account treating with a fungicide if it turns into difficult to regulate over multiple season.

Finest Makes use of for Pink Twig Dogwoods

Pink twig dogwoods are primarily valued for his or her distinctive decorative options, providing colourful year-round visible curiosity in landscapes and gardens.

Smaller specimens could be planted in borders and all sizes can be utilized as focal factors and accents.

They’re a supply of meals for pollinators, birds, and different small mammals which makes them a perfect selection for land restoration tasks and ecological refuge websites.

These shrubs are additionally useful within the software of abrasion management as a consequence of their fast-growing and suckering habits. This additionally makes them a favourite for hedging and mass plantings.

My absolute favourite purpose for rising these vegetation is for his or her winter curiosity. I like how the pink stems stand out towards snow and the distinction they provide to greenery preparations.