Red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea): when and how to prune

Red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea): when to prune it?

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From March to early April, before the leaves emerge.

What else to prune in those months? March · April

Red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea): how to prune it?

1. Each year, cut about a third of the oldest, dullest stems down to the ground.
2. If you only want the brightest colour, cut all stems back to 5–10 cm above the ground every two or three years.
3. Remove dead, weak and crossing stems.
4. After a hard prune, give compost and water so it reshoots vigorously.

How much to cut, and how often?

• One pruning period a year: March–April.
• Prune in moderation: never remove more than about a third of the shrub at once.

What does it mean for wildlife?

• Pruning in March–April can fall in the nesting season (15 March–15 August). Check carefully for nesting birds first: disturbing an active nest is against the law.
• Red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea) flowers in May–June, when it attracts bees.
• Prunings can go on a dead hedge or brash pile in a corner of the garden: shelter for hedgehogs, wrens and insects.

Common mistakes

• Clipping without first checking for nesting birds.
• Leaving a stub or sawing flush with the trunk: cut just outside the branch collar.

Nearby: related pruning guides

• Common dogwood
• Cornelian cherry
• Red-barked dogwood
• Japanese cornel (Cornus officinalis)
• Pagoda dogwood (Cornus alternifolia)
• Flowering dogwood

Plant profile: Red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea) · Pruning calendar and basic rules