How to Grow Red Twig Dogwood Bush - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team   /   2025

Red twig dogwood bush is a plant that is native to North America. It is a deciduous shrub that typically grows to be around 6 feet tall. The leaves of the red twig dogwood bush are ovate in shape and are green in color. The flowers of the red twig dogwood bush are small and white in color. The fruit of the red twig dogwood bush is a small, red drupe.

How to Grow Red Twig Dogwood Bush - Plant Care & Tips

Also called

  • Red-osier dogwood
  • American dogwood
  • Mountain dogwood
  • Pacific dogwood
  • Eastern dogwood

Common Knowledge

  • The red twig dogwood bush is a deciduous shrub that is native to North America.
  • It grows to a height of 6-12 feet and has a spread of 4-8 feet.
  • The leaves are opposite, ovate-shaped, and 2-4 inches long. They are dark green in summer and turn red or purplish in fall.
  • The fragrant, white flowers bloom in clusters in late spring or early summer.
  • The fruit is a small, oval-shaped, red drupe that ripens in late summer or early fall.
  • The red twig dogwood bush is tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions and can even grow in wet or marshy areas.
  • It is adaptable to both full sun and partial shade, although it will produce the brightest fall color in full sun.
  • The red twig dogwood bush is easy to care for and requires little pruning.
  • It is relatively resistant to disease and pests.
  • The red twig dogwood bush makes an excellent addition to any landscape, providing year-round interest with its beautiful flowers, colorful leaves, and bright red stems.

Related plant:
Hydrangea Paniculata Diamant Rouge

Growing Steps

  1. For red twig dogwood bush, first step is to remove any dead or diseased wood from the plant. Cut these back to healthy growth using sharp pruning shears.
  2. Next, cut back any long, leggy stems to encourage new growth. Cut these back to about 6 inches (15 cm) from the ground.
  3. Once the plant is pruned, fertilize it with a balanced fertilizer.
  4. Water the plant deeply and regularly, especially during the hot summer months.
  5. To encourage new growth and colorful stems, prune the plant again in late winter or early spring.
  6. In late spring or early summer, mulch around the base of the plant to help retain moisture and keep weeds at bay.
  7. Once the plant is established, it doesn’t require much maintenance. However, you may want to prune it annually to keep it looking its best.
  8. If you live in an area where temperatures dip below freezing in winter, you may need to provide some protection for your red twig dogwood bush. Wrap the plant in burlap or place it in a sheltered location.
  9. Red twig dogwood bush is generally pest and disease resistant. However, aphids, scale, and leaf miners can occasionally be a problem. Treat these pests with an appropriate insecticide or fungicide.
  10. Enjoy the lovely, colorful stems of your red twig dogwood bush all winter long!

Related plant:
Syringa Flower

Considering the Soil

About soil condition, the red twig dogwood bush does best in moist to wet soils, but it can also tolerate dry conditions. It prefers a slightly acidic to neutral soil, but it can also grow in alkaline soils.

Light condition

Like the other dogwoods, the red twig dogwood bush prefers full sun to partial shade, although it will tolerate some shade. It prefers moist, well-drained soil but is quite adaptable and will grow in dry, sandy soil as long as it is not compacted.

Ideal Temperature

The temperature condition that is ideal for a red twig dogwood bush is one that is cool and moist. This type of bushes prefers a shady location and will do best in an area that has some morning sun and afternoon shade. The red twig dogwood bush is also tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions as long as the soil is well-drained.

Humidity Level

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is around 50%. If the humidity drops below 30%, the leaves will start to crisp and turn brown. If the humidity is too high, the leaves will become yellow and will eventually drop off.

Fertilizing

Mentioning fertilizer, usually the plant needs to be big enough to warrant it. For a red twig dogwood bush, that would be after the second year. The recommendation would be to use a slow-release fertilizer such as an 18-6-12. This should be applied in the spring. As far as the root system, dogwoods have a very shallow root system. Be careful when applying fertilizer not to get any on the trunk or leaves of the tree.

Light requirement

Pruning is an important part of keeping your red twig dogwood bush healthy and looking its best. For optimal results, prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Start by removing any dead, diseased, or damaged wood. Next, thin out the bush by removing any crossing or crowded branches. Finally, cut back the remaining branches by one-third to one-half their length.

The Propagation

Propagation of red twig dogwood is typically done through softwood cuttings taken from new growth in late spring or early summer. The cuttings should be 4-6 inches long and taken from the tips of the branches. Cuttings can be rooted in a mix of perlite and peat moss or vermiculite and peat moss. Once the cuttings have rooted, they can be transplanted into individual pots or into the garden.

Plant Growth

Usually, the plant growth rate is a result of the plant's genetic disposition. The plant's growing conditions (soil, sun, water) also play a role in its growth. Fertilizer can also help a plant to grow more quickly.

Basic Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are scale, powdery mildew, canker, and leaf spot. Some scale insects can be found on the stems and leaves of the plant. These insects can cause the leaves to turn yellow and fall off. Powdery mildew can also be found on the leaves and stems of the plant. This fungus can cause the leaves to turn brown and fall off. Canker is a disease that can kill the plant. Leaf spot is another disease that can cause the leaves to turn brown and fall off.

Tips on Growing

  • If you are growing your red twig dogwood bush in a pot, make sure that the pot has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
  • Place your red twig dogwood bush in an area that receives full sun for at least six hours per day.
  • Water your red twig dogwood bush regularly, making sure to keep the soil moist but not soggy.
  • Fertilize your red twig dogwood bush every four to six weeks using a balanced fertilizer.
  • Prune your red twig dogwood bush in late winter or early spring to encourage new growth.
  • Keep an eye out for pests and diseases, and treat them immediately if you notice any problems.
  • Deadhead faded flowers on your red twig dogwood bush to encourage more blooms.
  • If you live in an area with cold winters, provide protection for your red twig dogwood

Alternative Plants

  • Few-flowered dogwood
  • * Red-osier dogwood,
  • * Silky dogwood
  • * Red willow
  • * Dye willow
  • Rough-leaved dogwood
  • * Bunchberry
  • * Dwarf dogwood
  • * Bitterberry
  • * Mountain dogwood

Source:
Redosier Dogwood | Horticulture, Landscape, and ... - Nebraska
Dogwoods - University of Connecticut
Dogwoods - Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment

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Reviewed & Published by Richelle
Submitted by our contributor
Shrubs Category