Native Plant of the Month: Red-osier Dogwoodby Erica Guttman With the coming of the October rains, we acknowledge summer's passing and delight in the display of fall color that brightens our drought-stricken landscapes. Red-osier dogwood has the distinction of being one of those rare plants whose beauty is more pronounced in fall and winter than in spring and summer. What's in a Name? Red-osier dogwood is also known as red-twig dogwood, an obvious reference to its brilliant red twigs in winter. An older common name is "creek dogwood," a reference to its common streamside habitat. The scientific name is Cornus sericea. Cornus is the genus for all dogwoods and comes from an old word, cornu, or horn, referring to the hardness of the wood. Recent taxonomy ascribes the specific name "sericea," which suggests qualities of being silky or downy, perhaps referring to the flower. But this shrub's older name is C. stolonifera, which is a reference to its habit of spreading via underground suckers, or stolons. Many nurseries still refer to it with this older appellation. General Description Red-osier dogwood usually presents itself as a multi-stemmed shrub, although occasionally one finds it as a small tree. It grows up to about 16 feet tall with a broad shrubby branch spread. Its branches and leaves are oppositely arranged. The oval leaves are pointed at the tip and often appear wavy in mid-summer. In the fall, they generally turn a brilliant red to purple-red before falling off. As with other dogwoods, if one gently splits a leaf apart crosswise, the two halves will remain connected by delicate white threads. The flowers are borne in flat-topped clusters at the ends of branches. The individual flowers have four petals and stamens and bear no resemblance to the familiar flower of the Pacific dogwood. Like its relative, though, the red-osier dogwood will sometimes flower a second time in late summer. The fruits are striking: clusters of white or bluish-white berries appear by early fall. It is generally the young growth on the twigs that turns brilliant red after the weather cools. Twigs are also often partially or entirely green or yellowish. The bright colors of these young twigs are interrupted with raised, warty lenticils that allow the plant to make gas exchanges during the winter. The older bark is generally grey or brown and grooved. The buds are long and slender and resemble the pincers of a crab's claw. Distribution and Ecology The red-osier dogwood has a broad range, occupying valley bottoms to near timberline from Alaska south, and on both sides of the Cascades. Its primary habitat is in moist, well-drained soils, particularly at the edges of ponds or streams or in other areas that receive winter flooding. However, it can also grow successfully in dry soil conditions. It often grows in association with willows, alders, and Pacific ninebark. It thrives in full sun and becomes leggier in partial shade. Some good examples of local red-osier dogwoods growing in damp, partial shade can be seen at both McLane Creek Nature Trail (including an extremely old and twisted individual) and at Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. In the Landscape Because it can withstand a variety soils, moisture, and sun conditions, red-osier dogwood is widely used as a landscape plant. One is as likely to encounter it in the parking lot of a bank as in a border for a pond. Its lovely form, striking fall foliage, unusual fruits, and delicate flowers are reason enough to feature this plant in a landscape. Yet, as its common name suggests, this dogwood is most highly prized for its twig color, which adds considerable interest to winter landscapes. It is equally attractive planted in dense clumps or interspersed with other deciduous species that also have interesting winter color, such as Pacific ninebark and Douglas spiraea. A cultivar variety, 'Flaviramea,' has bright yellow twigs and is attractive mixed with the natural red-twig plants. The red-osier dogwood is an especially valuable species for streamside restoration projects, since it is an excellent soil-binder, is quick to spread and can withstand seasonal flooding. An additional benefit is its low-cost to propagate: like willows, it will sprout easily from cuttings planted directly into the soil without any rooting hormone. Red-osier dogwood provides good cover and food for a number of species. It hosts butterfly caterpillars, and the buds and fruit provide food for many species of birds and mammals. The leaves and twigs are both browsed throughout the year by mammals, including rabbits, deer, and elk. Ethnobotany Although people today rely on this plant primarily for its landscaping value, many parts of this species have traditionally been used by native groups. The flexible twigs were used for basketry and for preparing fish. The bark is an ingredient in various medicines, including tonic teas. Some still brew it today as a purge before canoe races. The fruits are bitter, but were consumed by interior groups. J.E. Underhill reports "a lady from northern Europe told me that in her native land a very similar species produces a good country wine," so perhaps local wine makers are quietly brewing red-osier dogwood wine for personal use. References
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