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Cornus sericea subsp. Occidentalis ‘Sunshine’ (Dogwood)

Dogwood 'Sunshine', Cornus sericea 'Sunshine'

Cornus Sericea subsp. Occidentalis 'Sunshine', Dogwood 'Sunshine', Cornus Sericea 'Sunshine', Deciduous Shrubs, Foliage, Fall color, Winter color, Shrubs with berries

Noted for its dazzling golden foliage and outstanding bright red winter stems, Cornus sericea subsp. occidentalis ‘Sunshine’ (Dogwood) is a multi-stemmed, suckering, deciduous shrub of great ornamental value in the landscape. Rapid-growing and adaptable to most soils, including wet soils, it bears ovate, pale yellow, or chartreuse leaves in spring and summer, which happily contrast with the red stems. Small clusters of tiny creamy flowers that will attract butterflies appear in late spring. They will give way to clusters of white berries, often blue-tinged, that are very attractive to birds. In fall, the foliage turns attractive shades of burgundy red before falling to the ground, revealing the vibrant, glistening red stems that beautifully radiate from the base of the shrub. An invaluable addition to the winter garden.

  • Grows upright with a spreading habit up to 6-10 ft. tall and wide (180-300 cm).
  • Performs best in full sun to part shade, in organically rich, medium to wet soils. It is not fussy about soils, provided they are kept evenly moist and well-drained.
  • Easy to grow, easy to care for, and deer-resistant.
  • Cornus sericea looks spectacular when massed to emphasize and accentuate the cold season stem color. Great choice for shrub borders, along ponds and streams, or planted in naturalistic plantings where it can freely spread and form thickets.
  • Dogwoods are susceptible to a range of pests and diseases.
  • This plant is more vulnerable to diseases in hot summer climates (south of Zone 7)
  • While pruning is not required, it should be noted that the best winter stem color appears on new growth. For the best display, cut the stems flush to the ground every 2-3 years in early spring, just as the leaf buds start to swell. This radical pruning, however, means that you will have a bare spot in the garden for a few weeks and miss the creamy-white flowers or attractive berries since they only form on second-year growth. Alternatively, if severe pruning seems too onerous, one-quarter or one-third of the oldest stems could be pruned in early spring each year to stimulate the growth of new stems.
  • Propagated primarily by rooted stem cuttings. Promptly remove root suckers if the colonial spread is undesired.
  • Cornus sericea is a species of dogwood native to much of North America (excluding the lower Midwest and deep South). It is widely grown as an ornamental plant, whose available cultivars have been selected for their winter glowing colors.

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, A1, A2, A3
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Cornaceae
Genus Cornus
Common names Redosier Dogwood, Dogwood
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 6' - 10'
(180cm - 3m)
Spread 6' - 10'
(180cm - 3m)
Spacing 120" (3m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average, High
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive
Characteristics Showy
Tolerance Deer, Clay Soil, Wet Soil
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Ponds And Streams, Rain Gardens
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Traditional Garden, Informal and Cottage
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Cornus alternifolia Golden Shadows® (Pagoda Dogwood)
Cornus sanguinea ‘Winter Flame’ (Bloodtwig Dogwood)
Cornus sanguinea Arctic Sun® (Bloodtwig Dogwood)
Cornus sericea Arctic Fire® Red (Redtwig Dogwood)
Cornus florida ‘Appalachian Spring’ (Flowering Dogwood)
Cornus florida ‘Cherokee Sunset’ (Flowering Dogwood)

Recommended Companion Plants

Helleborus Winter Jewels ‘Harlequin Gem’ (Hellebore)
Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald ‘n’ Gold’ (Wintercreeper)
Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’ (Tatarian Dogwood)
Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Diane’ (Witch Hazel)
Erythronium ‘Pagoda’ (Dog Tooth Violet)
Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’ (Bloodtwig Dogwood)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

Small Trees and Shrubs That Attract Birds
Small Trees and Shrubs That Bloom In Winter
Roots of Life: Exploring the Diverse World of Trees
35 Best Flowering Trees for a Spectacular Garden Display
Small Trees, Big Impact: Maximize Your Garden’s Potential
Spectacular Trees for Vibrant Fall Colors: A Gardener’s Guide
Pure White Flowers for a Touch of Elegance in Your Garden
24 Types of Dogwood Trees and Shrubs
Dogwood Tree Facts You May Not Know
35 Flowering Shrubs That Thrive in Full Sun
40 Beautiful Native Shrubs for Shade
Flowering Dogwood – Problems and Alternatives
Cornus (Dogwood) – What Is Wrong With My Tree?
Cornus (Dogwood) – Pests and Diseases to Watch Out For
Cornus (Dogwood)
Dogwood Trees: Add Vibrant Beauty to Your Landscape
Trees with Four Seasons of Interest for Your Garden
Create a Garden with Great Winter Interest
Attractive Shrubs and Trees with White Fruits and Berries
Shrubs and Trees with Colorful and Distinctive Twigs in Winter
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, A1, A2, A3
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Cornaceae
Genus Cornus
Common names Redosier Dogwood, Dogwood
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 6' - 10'
(180cm - 3m)
Spread 6' - 10'
(180cm - 3m)
Spacing 120" (3m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average, High
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive
Characteristics Showy
Tolerance Deer, Clay Soil, Wet Soil
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Ponds And Streams, Rain Gardens
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Traditional Garden, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Cornus (Dogwood)
Guides with
Cornus (Dogwood)
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