Bailey Red-Twig Dogwood (Cornus sericea 'Baileyi') is a large deciduous shrub prized for its brilliant red winter stems, vigorous growth, and adaptability to moist and wet soils. Growing approximately 6-9 feet tall and wide, it develops a dense, spreading habit that provides excellent structure, screening, and seasonal interest in larger landscapes.
Clusters of creamy-white flowers appear in late spring to early summer and may be followed by whitish berries that provide food for birds and other wildlife. After the foliage drops in fall, the bright red stems become the main attraction, creating outstanding winter color against snow, evergreens, and dormant landscapes.
Bailey Red-Twig Dogwood is an excellent choice for mixed borders, mass plantings, screening, rain gardens, pond edges, naturalized areas, erosion control, or other locations with periodically wet soil. Its larger size and spreading habit make it particularly useful where a substantial native shrub is desired.
More About Bailey Red-Twig Dogwood
- Low Maintenance
- Fast Growing
- Deciduous Shrub
- Brilliant Red Winter Stems
- Multi-Season Interest
- Mixed Border, Mass Planting, Screening, Rain Garden, Pond Edge, Naturalized Area, Erosion Control
- Dense, Spreading Habit
- Wet Soil Tolerant
- Provides Food & Cover for Wildlife
- Native Cultivar
Height: 6-9 Feet
Spread: 6-9 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: Upright, Spreading, 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. Bailey Red-Twig Dogwood develops its strongest red winter stem color when grown with plenty of sunlight but will tolerate partial shade. It is highly adaptable and performs particularly well in moist or periodically wet soils, making it useful for rain gardens, pond edges, drainage areas, and naturalized plantings.
Watering:
Water consistently during the first growing season to establish a strong root system. Once established, Bailey Red-Twig Dogwood prefers average to moist conditions and tolerates periodically wet soil. Water during prolonged periods of hot, dry weather.
Fertilizing:
Bailey Red-Twig Dogwood generally requires little fertilizer. If needed, apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring. Compost or organic matter can also be added around the root zone to support 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 vigorous new stems and maintain strong winter color. Older or overgrown shrubs can be rejuvenated gradually by removing approximately one-third of the oldest stems each year.
