| Plant Type | Small Shrub |
|---|---|
| Height (m) | 1-3 |
| Width (m) | 1-3 |
| Growth Rate | Fast |
| Pollination Strategy | Animal |
| Flower Period | June, July |
| Forage Value | Good |
| Fruit Type | Drupe |
| Edible Fruit | Yes |
| Fruit/Seeds Available | Fall, Summer |
| Traits | n/a |
| Natural Region | Boreal, Aspen Parkland, Foothills |
|---|---|
| Hardiness Zone | 3-8 |
| Soil Texture | Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Drainage | Moderate - Well |
| Moisture Tolerance | Moist, Average |
| Sun Exposure | Full, Partial Shade, Shade |
Red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea)
Red osier dogwood is a fast growing short shrub with moderate to high suckering. While it does not tolerate drought, it is remarkably adaptable to a range of moisture regimes and soil types: from the banks of water bodies (where it tolerates annual flooding) to upland areas in full sun or almost complete shade.
Red osier dogwood’s flowers provide very good pollen and nectar resources for pollinators, and its fruits are favoured by birds. Its fruits are bitter but edible for humans — First Nations peoples would often mix dogwood fruit with the fruit of sweeter species such as saskatoon. The leaves and bark of dogwood are extremely palatable for livestock and wildlife such as deer and moose, earning dogwood the nickname of “deer candy”.
Red osier dogwood’s adaptability, suckering, and fast growth make it an excellent addition for the edges of understory of Eco-Buffers across the province, in average to moist sites. It is also recommended for use in conventional shelterbelts, and in riparian buffers.
