Transformational Gardening

Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea) (Also known as: Swida sericea): Images

Date Location Notes Images
August 26, 2011 Southeastern, New Hampshire The other white fruited dogwood that looks similar is Gray Dogwood (Northern Swamp Dogwood) (Cornus racemosa). It has 3-4 veins (rarely 5 veins) on each side of the midrib while Red Osier Dogwood has 5-7 veins. Gray Dogwood has tan twigs and Red Osier Dogwood has bright red twigs. Gray Dogwood leaves are cuneate (tapering to a point) at the base and Red Osier Dogwood leaves are broadly-rounded or sometimes acute at the base.
Date Location Notes Images
May 15, 2012 Southeastern, New Hampshire
  • Leaves opposite.
  • Fruit is white or blue (last Fall it was white on this plant).
  • Pith color is white.
  • Leaves have 5 or more pairs of veins. If it had 3-4 pairs of veins, it would be Cornus racemosa.
  • Branchlets red to red-purple. Fruit white (rarely light blue).
Date Location Notes Images
July 4, 2012 Southeastern, New Hampshire
  • Leaves opposite.
  • Fruit is white or blue (last Fall it was white on this plant).
  • Pith color is white.
  • Leaves have 5 or more pairs of veins. If it had 3-4 pairs of veins, it would be Cornus racemosa.
  • Fruit is white (rarely blue). Seeds brown (not light brown) with 7-9 stripes (see closeup image), buds densely pubescent with red-brown and some white hairs (see closeup image).