Red stick dogwood is a small, slow-growing understory tree that is native to south-central North America. The name "red stick" refers to the plant's bright red branches, which are especially showy in winter. Dogwoods are known for their beautiful flowers, which bloom in spring. The red stick dogwood is no exception, with its small, white flowers that are borne in clusters.
Related plant:
Hydrangea Paniculata Diamant Rouge
Related plant:
Hydrangea Macrophylla Nikko Blue
About soil condition, the Red Stick Dogwood grows in any kind of soil as long as it is not waterlogged. The plant is not very choosy about its soil pH, but it does prefer a loamy soil with good drainage.
Not too different with other plants, red stick dogwood needs sunlight to grow. However, this plant is able to tolerate partial sun and partial shade. This means that it can prosper in an area that gets both direct and indirect sunlight throughout the day. For best growth, plant red stick dogwood in an area that gets at least four hours of sunlight each day.
The temperature conditions that are best for the growth of Red Stick Dogwood are those that are cool and moist. This means that the ideal temperature range for this plant is between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. However, it can also tolerate temperatures as low as 50 degrees Fahrenheit and as high as 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 40%-60%. The plant cannot tolerate high humidity or low humidity for a long time. If the humidity is too high, the leaves will turn yellow, and if the humidity is too low, the leaves will become dry and fall off.
Regarding fertilizer, this plant does best with compost or manure added to the soil in early spring. A root stimulator (available at garden centers) applied at planting time will also encourage good root growth. Be careful not to add too much nitrogen, as it will encourage foliage growth at the expense of flowers.
Pruning your Red Stick Dogwood regularly will help ensure that it continues to produce vibrant flowers and foliage. You can prune away any dead or damaged branches, as well as any that are growing in an undesirable direction. It's best to do your pruning in the early spring, before the plant begins to actively grow.
Propagation is best done by seed, although it can also be done by softwood or hardwood cuttings. Seed should be collected in the fall and sown as soon as possible. Softwood or hardwood cuttings can be taken in the spring or summer.
Usually, the plant growth rate is quite slow, however, if the conditions are right, they can grow quite rapidly. This plant prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil, however, they will tolerate a wide range of soil conditions. Red stick dogwoods are a very versatile plant and can be used in a variety of landscape settings.
Common problems for this kind of plant are canker and powdery mildew. Canker is a disease that affects the bark of the tree, causing it to crack and peel. Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that covers the leaves of the tree in a white powder. These diseases can be controlled with fungicide treatments.
Source:
Red Osier Dogwood | Natural Resource Stewardship
Native Plant of the Week: Red Osier Dogwood
Redosier Dogwood | Horticulture, Landscape, and ... - Nebraska
