Red-osier Dogwood - Cornus sericea

Description

A deciduous shrub with a rounded, spreading form. Opposite leaves with rounded bases are ovate to lance-shaped and dark green, turning a dull red, purple-red, or orange in autumn. Clusters of white flowers appear in late May to early June, followed by white to pale blue fruit. Green stems turn bright red in winter.

Similar Species

Other Dogwoods

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Often cultivated but becomes naturalised, sometimes quite a long way from habitation.

When to see it

Flowers late May to early June followed by distinctive white berries in autumn.

Life History

Perennial.

UK Status

Widespread as a naturalised shrub in Britain.

VC55 Status

Occasionally becomes naturalised in Leicestershire and Rutland. In the 1979 Flora survey of Leicestershire it was not recorded.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
Red-osier Dogwood
Species group:
Trees, Shrubs & Climbers
Kingdom:
Plantae
Order:
Cornales
Family:
Cornaceae
Records on NatureSpot:
14
First record:
15/08/2013 (Ruth Dring)
Last record:
28/10/2023 (Bedford, Frank)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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