The white flowering dogwood botanically known as Cornus florida is our state’s official flower, but there are other dogwoods in North Carolina’s forests, and one, in particular, is showing off right now. No, it doesn’t bloom in January, but it can add colorful razzle-dazzle to the garden in the dead of winter.
It’s called the redtwig or red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea), and it is more of a shrub than a small tree like the typical dogwood. Also, while Cornus florida sports large flowers, the redtwig has clusters of small, star-like blooms in the spring, while in the winter, its bare branches light up the landscape with muted red hues that come alive in the cold.
Such winter beauty didn’t go unnoticed by professional nurserymen, as this pretty native has been introduced into the trade as a quality landscape plant. Many cultivars have even been developed and include the compact “Isanti,” variegated-leaf “Sunshine,” and “Bailey,” which also has eye-catching, deep red foliage in the fall.
And just to make things confusing, there are yellow-twig cultivars of the redtwig dogwood. “Flaviramea” has been a standard for years, but “Bud’s Yellow” has shown better disease resistance. Also, consider the bright yellow stems of “Silver and Gold,” which are nicely complemented by variegated leaves during the warmer months.
The Tatarian dogwood (Cornus alba), a native of China, also shows off sizzling red branches in the winter. But a real showstopper is the bloodtwig dogwood (Cornus sanguinea), a European import that zaps the dull winter landscape with streaks of electric red, orange, and yellow. “Winter Flame,” also called “Midwinter Fire,” is an outstanding cultivar.
All of these twiggy winter beauties will have brighter glows if planted in full sun. Also, because mature branches tend to dull over time, it is best to prune out older limbs about every three years.
To Do in January
Why does this Haywood County town have some of the cleanest water in the state? It’s the result of the community’s efforts to keep the forests in its watershed pristine.
The spectacular views in North Carolina’s High Country aren’t just inspiration for writers, painters, and sculptors. Those landscapes — the rugged gray face of Grandfather Mountain, the vibrant fall leaves, the deep green meadows — are brushstrokes on Earth’s own canvas.
The sprawling vineyards and wide-open skies that stretch for miles across seven North Carolina counties offer relaxing getaways — not to mention some of the state’s finest wines — for Sunday drivers aching to escape the rush of city life.
Nothing lasts forever — and that’s what makes many of our cherished moments so special.
