{"product_id":"cardinal-dogwood","title":"Cardinal Dogwood","description":"\u003ch1\u003eBright Cherry-Red Winter Stems on a Minnesota-Bred Native Dogwood\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCardinal Dogwood (Cornus sericea 'Cardinal') is a University of Minnesota introduction selected for its exceptionally bright cherry-red to coral winter stems — native toughness with extra winter dazzle. White spring flowers and white berries feed pollinators and birds, and the stems light up the snow all winter. Bred for our climate and a Minnesota native, it tolerates wet soil with ease. Whether you're brightening a winter view in Edina, planting a rain garden in Woodbury, or building a native screen in Maple Grove — Cardinal is a standout four-season native for zone 4b–5a yards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCardinal Dogwood Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mce-item-table\"\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAttribute\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCornus sericea 'Cardinal'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRed Twig Dogwood, Red Osier Dogwood, Cardinal Dogwood\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Height\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6–8 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Width\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6–8 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFast — vigorous, multi-stemmed; suckers to form a thicket\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSun\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun to part shade. Stem color is brightest in full winter sun.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate to high. Loves consistent moisture and tolerates wet soil — excellent for rain gardens.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–7 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a) — fully hardy and reliable here\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVery adaptable — tolerates Minnesota clay-loam and seasonally wet ground; thrives in moist soil.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeciduous — green summer leaves with reddish fall tones; bright red stems carry the winter show.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to -40°F. Bred by the University of Minnesota for our climate.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerately deer-resistant.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNative Status\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinnesota native — supports native pollinators and birds and the Lawns to Legumes program.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFlat clusters of white flowers in spring, followed by white berries; bright cherry-red stems all winter.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCardinal Dogwood Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eStandout winter color\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSelected for unusually bright stems, Cardinal puts on one of the best winter shows of any red-twig — plant where you'll see it against the snow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRain gardens and wet spots\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA native of Minnesota wetlands, it thrives in rain gardens, pond edges, and low, wet areas in Burnsville or Woodbury.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eNative screens and wildlife\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts vigorous, suckering habit makes a fast native screen, while white flowers and berries feed pollinators and birds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Cardinal Dogwood in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFall (late August–early October) is the ideal planting window. Soil is still warm for root development, cool air reduces transplant stress, and the plant gets 6–8 weeks to establish roots before ground freeze (typically mid-November in the Twin Cities).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpring (late April–May, after the ground thaws) is the second-best window, giving the shrub a full season to establish before its first winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoid summer planting (June–August) when possible. Never plant after mid-October or before late April — frozen ground or frost-heaving kills new roots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Cardinal Dogwood\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDig wide, not deep — 2–3× the root ball width, same depth as the container.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIt tolerates wet feet, so low, moist, or rain-garden spots are ideal; it also grows in average soil.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBackfill with native soil mixed with 20–30% compost; firm gently and water in well.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpace 5–6 feet apart for a screen or thicket; give it room to sucker.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuild a water basin to direct water to the roots; flatten it before winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMulch 2–3 inches with shredded bark, kept off the stems. For brightest color, remove a third of the oldest stems at the base each spring.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Cardinal Dogwood in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFirst Year Watering Schedule\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeeks 1–2: Every 1–2 days, deep and slow (15–25 minutes)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 1–2: Every 3–4 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 3–6: Every 5–7 days; this moisture-lover would rather be too wet than too dry\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStop watering 2–3 weeks before ground freeze (typically late October in the Twin Cities metro).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAfter Year One\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEstablished red-twig dogwood still appreciates steady moisture — water deeply during dry spells. In a rain garden or naturally moist spot it often needs no supplemental water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDrip Irrigation in Minnesota\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf used, place emitters 12–18 inches from the crown and keep the root zone moist. Always winterize the system — blow out the lines before freeze and shut timers off by early October.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat makes Cardinal special?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's a University of Minnesota introduction selected for exceptionally bright cherry-red winter stems — native toughness with standout color.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do I keep the stems bright?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe youngest stems are reddest. Remove about a third of the oldest stems at the base each spring to keep bright young growth coming.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it native to Minnesota?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — it's a selection of Cornus sericea, a Minnesota native, bred locally for our climate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan it grow in wet soil?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — it's excellent for rain gardens, pond edges, and low, wet spots, though it also grows in average soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eArctic Fire Dogwood — a compact native red-twig for smaller spaces\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBud's Yellow Dogwood — a native dogwood with yellow winter stems\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMinnesota Natives — regionally native shrubs and trees for habitat and easy care\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Cardinal Dogwood Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a native screen or thicket, space plants 5–6 ft apart (the body's own spacing; mature width 6–8 ft) — its suckering habit fills the gaps fast.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eScreen Length\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePlants Needed (5–6 ft spacing)\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–6 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7–8 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCardinal Dogwood Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Flat clusters of white flowers feed native pollinators; this is also the time to cut a third of the oldest stems to the base for next winter's brightest color.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fast, vigorous green growth builds the screen; white berries form and the birds move in.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Foliage turns reddish tones, then drops to unveil the young cherry-red stems.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e The main event — U of M-selected cherry-red to coral stems blaze against the snow for five straight months.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Minnesota Native   ✔ Pollinator-Friendly   ✔ Rain-Garden \/ Wet-Soil   ✔ Shade-Tolerant   ✔ Four-Season Interest\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/arctic-fire-dogwood\"\u003eArctic Fire Dogwood\u003c\/a\u003e — the body's own compact red-twig pick for the front of the planting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/buds-yellow-dogwood\"\u003eBud's Yellow Dogwood\u003c\/a\u003e — alternate yellow and red winter stems for a two-tone snow show.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/blue-muffin-viburnum\"\u003eBlue Muffin Viburnum\u003c\/a\u003e — native arrowwood with blue berries for the same moist, wildlife-friendly border.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/karl-foerster-feather-reed-grass\"\u003eKarl Foerster Feather Reed Grass\u003c\/a\u003e — wheat-colored winter plumes in front of the red stems.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Cardinal Dogwood Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCardinal is right for you if you have a moist or even wet spot — rain garden, pond edge, low corner — in full sun to part shade, and you want native wildlife value plus the brightest red winter stems the U of M could breed. It's not a fit for tight, formal beds: it's a fast, suckering 6–8 ft thicket-former that wants room to spread, and dry, baking sites will leave it struggling.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#2 Gallon","offer_id":54308205363505,"sku":null,"price":20.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"#5 Gallon","offer_id":54308205396273,"sku":null,"price":30.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"#7 Gallon","offer_id":54308205429041,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/cardinal-dogwood.jpg?v=1779567572","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/cardinal-dogwood","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}