Arctic Fire® Red Twig Dogwood (Cornus sericea 'Farrow') is a compact deciduous shrub prized for its brilliant red stems and outstanding winter color. Growing approximately 3-5 feet tall and wide, it provides the colorful winter display of a traditional red-twig dogwood in a smaller, more manageable form. Green foliage creates an attractive shrub throughout the growing season before dropping in fall to reveal vivid red stems.
Small clusters of creamy-white flowers appear in late spring to early summer and may be followed by whitish berries that provide additional seasonal interest and food for wildlife. During winter, the bright red stems stand out beautifully against snow, evergreens, and dormant landscapes.
Arctic Fire is an excellent choice for foundation plantings, mixed borders, mass plantings, rain gardens, moist areas, or as a colorful winter accent. Its compact size makes it particularly useful in residential landscapes where larger red-twig dogwoods may become too large.
More About Arctic Fire Red Twig Dogwood
- Low Maintenance
- Moderate to Fast Growing
- Deciduous Shrub
- Brilliant Red Winter Stems
- Compact Variety
- Multi-Season Interest
- Foundation Planting, Mixed Border, Mass Planting, Rain Garden, Moist Areas, Accent
- Dense, Rounded Habit
- Wet Soil Tolerant
- Provides Food & Cover for Wildlife
- Native Cultivar
Height: 3-5 Feet
Spread: 3-5 Feet
Hardiness Zone: 3-7
Characteristics
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Part Shade
- Season of Interest: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
- Soil Moisture: Average to Wet, Adaptable
- Attributes: Compact, Rounded, Multi-Season Interest, Wet Soil Tolerant
- Foliage Color: Green
- Stem Color: Bright Red in Winter
- Flower Color: Creamy White
- Fruit: Whitish Berries
Care & Maintenance Tips
Planting:
Plant in full sun to part shade. Arctic Fire develops its strongest red stem color when provided with plenty of sunlight but will tolerate partial shade. It is adaptable to a range of soil conditions and performs particularly well in moist areas, making it an excellent choice for rain gardens and locations that periodically experience wet soil.
Watering:
Water consistently during the first growing season to establish a strong root system. Once established, Arctic Fire prefers average to moist soil and tolerates periodically wet conditions. Water during extended periods of hot, dry weather.
Fertilizing:
Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring if needed. Adding compost or organic matter around the root zone can also help maintain healthy growth.
Pruning:
The brightest red winter stems develop on younger growth. In late winter or early spring, remove some of the oldest stems at ground level to encourage fresh, colorful new growth. Older plants can be rejuvenated gradually by removing approximately one-third of the oldest stems each year.
