Cornus sericea 'Baileyi'
Overview
Uses: Hedges, screens, mass plantings, rain gardens, stream banks, erosion control, winter interest.
Benefits: Brilliant cherry-red winter stems provide some of the most striking cold-season color available in any landscape shrub. More compact and less aggressively spreading than the straight species, with a tighter, more manageable growth habit. Tolerates wet soils, clay, and a wide range of challenging site conditions where many ornamental shrubs fail.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3–8
Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Life Cycle: Deciduous Shrub
Growth Habit: Upright, Rounded — multi-stemmed with a loose, arching form.
Bloom Color: White
Foliage Color: Green, turning red to purple in fall
Mature Height: 6–10 feet
Mature Width: 8–12 feet
Bloom Season: Late spring to early summer
Growth Rate: Fast
Summary
Bailey Red Twig Dogwood earns its place in the landscape on the strength of one standout feature: winter stems so intensely red they glow against a snowy backdrop. While most deciduous shrubs disappear into the dormant landscape, Bailey’s bare, cherry-red branches command attention from across the garden, creating vivid structural interest precisely when the landscape needs it most.
The ornamental value extends well beyond winter. In late spring, flat clusters of small white flowers attract pollinators. By late summer, clusters of white to bluish berries develop and persist into fall, drawing songbirds. The dark green summer foliage transitions to rich shades of red and purple before dropping to reveal those signature stems. Every season delivers something worth noticing.
Selected from the native species Cornus sericea, ‘Baileyi’ offers a more contained growth habit than the straight species. It does not spread as aggressively by stolons, making it significantly easier to manage in garden settings while retaining the ecological value and site adaptability that make red twig dogwood such a workhorse in the landscape. It thrives in wet to moist soils, tolerates clay and boggy conditions, and handles full sun to partial shade.
Care
Bailey Red Twig Dogwood Care
Plant in full sun for the most intense winter stem color. Partial shade is tolerated but may produce less vivid red coloring. Bailey Red Twig Dogwood adapts to a wide range of soils including clay, loam, and sandy soils. It thrives in moist to wet conditions and is an excellent choice for rain gardens, stream banks, and low-lying areas. It also tolerates average garden conditions once established.
Water regularly during the first growing season. Once established, this dogwood handles a range of moisture conditions from wet to moderately dry. Fertilize in spring with a slow release fertilizer if desired, though this vigorous shrub rarely needs supplemental feeding in decent soil.
The best stem color develops on young wood. To maintain the brightest red winter display, remove 20 to 25 percent of the oldest stems at ground level in late winter each year to stimulate fresh growth. Alternatively, coppice the entire plant to 6 to 8 inches every two to three years in early spring for a full renewal. Remove root suckers if a tighter habit is desired.
Size
What Size is the Bailey Red Twig Dogwood for Sale Online?
Our Bailey Red Twig Dogwood ships in a greenhouse-grade grow pot and is appropriately sized for its container at the time of shipment. If you have specific sizing or planting questions, please contact us.
How Large Does Bailey Red Twig Dogwood Grow?
Bailey Red Twig Dogwood reaches 6 to 10 feet tall and 8 to 12 feet wide at maturity. It is a fast-growing shrub that fills in quickly, making it effective for screening and hedging within a few seasons.
Additional Information
What are some common names for this plant?
This plant is commonly known as Bailey Red Twig Dogwood, Bailey’s Red Osier Dogwood, and Red Twig Dogwood. The species Cornus sericea is also known as Red Osier Dogwood.
Is Bailey Red Twig Dogwood a native plant?
Bailey Red Twig Dogwood is a nativar — a cultivar selected from the native species Cornus sericea, which is indigenous to most of North America. It retains the ecological value of the straight species while offering a less aggressively spreading habit that is better suited to managed landscapes. It is a strong addition to Native Plants of North America gardens.
Is Bailey Red Twig Dogwood deer resistant?
Yes. Red twig dogwood is generally considered deer resistant and is rarely browsed in most landscapes. Explore our Deer-Resistant Shrubs and Evergreens collection for more options.
What wildlife does Bailey Red Twig Dogwood support?
The white to bluish berries are eaten by songbirds and small mammals. The dense branching provides nesting cover and shelter. Cornus sericea is a larval host for the Spring Azure butterfly and supports several specialized native bee species. Browse our Shrubs & Bushes collection for more wildlife-friendly options.
