Arctic Fire Dogwood

Grown primarily for stunning winter color, Arctic Fire Cornus also provides interest through the growing season. Small and fragrant white flowers appear in late spring, attracting butterflies to the garden. Clusters of white to blue-tinged fruits follow blossoms and attract foraging birds. Arctic Fire is gorgeous massed against white-barked trees or in open areas where the red twigs shine against snow banks in the winter sunlight. In areas lacking regular snow cover, plant against a backdrop of evergreen foliage for contrast. Young stems display the best red color. Maintain colorful shrubs by removing one-third of the oldest stems each year in early spring. Older stems will have corky bark and a brownish coloration. Plants thrive in average to moist soils and tolerate bog-like conditions and clay soils. Plants do not spread by stolon like other dogwoods.