Cornus sericea 'Cardinal'
Cornus sericea 'Cardinal' is a cultivar of the red osier dogwood, a deciduous shrub native to North America. 'Cardinal' is prized for its brilliant red stems that are particularly vibrant in the winter when the plant has lost its leaves. The green leaves turn reddish-purple in the fall before dropping off. In spring, the plant produces clusters of small white flowers, followed by small white berries in the summer that attract birds. 'Cardinal' grows to a height of 6-8 feet and a spread of 6-10 feet, and prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. It is commonly used in naturalistic plantings, as a specimen plant, or in mass plantings to create a vibrant winter display.