Red osier dogwood is native to North America. It produces its own antifreeze, surviving
temperatures down to –32°F.
Identification: This deciduous shrub is 3-18' (91-548 cm)
high, and about the same in width. It is extensively branched. Stems are dark red when young, but
fade to gray-green as they age, becoming red again in the fall.
Leaves are 2-5" (5-12 cm) long and 1-2½" (2.5-6.3 cm) wide, oval, bright red in the fall. Red osier flowers are small and white,
occurring in flat-topped groups. The fruits are white or dull white berries, about ¼" (6.3 mm),
on bright red stems. (This rather striking combination of white berries and bright red stems also occurs in
white baneberry, but baneberry bushes are smaller, and the leaves are very
different.)
Berries are white ... the wrinkled blue berries are probably the result of a mold or fungus. · 9/16/2016 · Cadillac Mountain South Ridge Tr, Bar Harbor, Maine ID is uncertain
9/3/2009 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Ayer, Massachusetts ≈ 6 × 9" (14 × 22 cm) ID is uncertain
8/31/2021 · Hackett and Minot Trails, Harpswell, Maine ≈ 7 × 4½" (16 × 11 cm)
6/11/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts ≈ 5 × 3" (12 × 8.4 cm) ID is uncertain
5/29/2010 · Maine Audubon Gilsland Farm Audubon Center, Falmouth, Maine ≈ 11 × 7" (27 × 18 cm) ID is uncertain
6/11/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts ≈ 9 × 6" (22 × 15 cm) ID is uncertain
8/1/2009 · Stan & Connie’s, Falmouth, Maine ≈ 10 × 7" (25 × 17 cm) ID is uncertain
5/29/2010 · Maine Audubon Gilsland Farm Audubon Center, Falmouth, Maine ≈ 2½ × 1¾" (7 × 5 cm) ID is uncertain
9/20/2009 · Wild Gardens of Acadia, Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine ≈ 14 × 9" (35 × 23 cm)
Cornus alba L.p.p.
Cornus alba L.var. baileyi (J.M.Coult.&Evans)B.Boivin
6/11/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts ≈ 9 × 6" (22 × 15 cm) ID is uncertain
8/31/2021 · Hackett and Minot Trails, Harpswell, Maine ≈ 5 × 3½" (13 × 8.8 cm)
Berries are white ... the wrinkled blue berries are probably the result of a mold or fungus. · 9/16/2016 · Cadillac Mountain South Ridge Tr, Bar Harbor, Maine ID is uncertain
8/1/2009 · Stan & Connie’s, Falmouth, Maine ≈ 13 × 10" (34 × 25 cm) ID is uncertain
9/14/2009 · Near Nashoba Hospital, Ayer, Massachusetts ≈ 12 × 8" (31 × 20 cm) ID is uncertain
8/1/2009 · Stan & Connie’s, Falmouth, Maine ≈ 13 × 9" (33 × 22 cm) ID is uncertain