RED ROVER®

Dogwood - Silky

Cornus obliqua

'Powell Gardens'

PP#27,873

Swipe to View More
Red fall color on Red Rover Cornus "} Multi colored fall foliage of Red Rover Cornus Potted Red Rover Cornus in greenhouse Close up of white Red Rover Cornus flower
  • Native to North America
  • Outstanding fall color
  • Super durable
Description

Compact selection of a colorful, valuable native species. Exceptional fall foliage is the hallmark of Red Rover® Cornus, a compact selection of our native silky dogwood (C. obliqua, syn. C. amomum). The clean green foliage contrasts nicely with white flowers, and blue fall fruit adds to its autumn appeal. This is an outstanding plant for moist to damp sites, and is a valuable resource for pollinator populations and birds. Burgundy stems in winter. Native.

USDA Zone
3 - 8 (-40°F/-40°C)
Exposure
Full sun, Part sun
Height
4 - 5'
Width
4 - 5'
Finish Time
1 season
Type
Deciduous
Bloom Time
Spring
Flower Color
White
Foliage Color
Green
Liner Sizes
2 1/4", 4", Quick Turn

Soil

Highly adaptable, but does best in moist, even wet soils. Tolerates dry conditions once established.

Pruning

To maintain best stem color, keep primarily to just one and two year old stems. The entire plant can be cut to stumps each spring (note that this will remove flowers), or one-third of the oldest branches can be removed at ground level each spring.

Uses

Mass plantings; cutting gardens; naturalizing; hedges; rain gardens; cutting gardens; foundation plantings.

Growing Tips

Much like red-twig dogwood, pruning is essential to acheive the best stem color. However, silky dogwood offers excellent fall foliage and fruit, so does not strictly need such a maintenance routine to get the best out of it. One of the most shade tolerant ornamental shrubs.