Cornus sericea 'Kelseyi', dwarf red twig dogwood
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Deciduous Shrubs

Cornus sericea 'Kelseyi'

dwarf red twig dogwood

Cornaceae
The species {C. sericea} is native throughout temperate North America; 'Kelseyi' is a cultivar of garden origin selected for dwarf habit

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At a Glance

TypeShrub
HabitMounding
FoliageDeciduous
Height2-3 feet (60-90 cm)
Width3-4 feet (90-120 cm)
Maturity3 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

2 - 8
Zone 2Zone 3Zone 4Zone 5Zone 6Zone 7Zone 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
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Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts PollinatorsContainer Friendly
Native to North America
Maintenancelow

Overview

Cornus sericea 'Kelseyi' is dwarf red twig dogwood (dwarf red osier), a compact mounding deciduous shrub growing 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) tall and 3-4 feet (90-120 cm) wide. A dwarf selection of C. sericea — 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) vs. 6-10 feet (1.8-3 m) for the species. Medium green ovate leaves 2-3 inches (5-7 cm) with arcuate venation. Turns burgundy-red in fall in full sun. Creamy white tiny flowers in flat-topped cymes 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) in May-June. Red-green winter stems — less vivid red than the species type or 'Arctic Fire'. In Cornaceae. Suckers less aggressively than the species — the reduced suckering and compact size are the cultivar's primary advantages. Susceptible to canker and twig blight in humid conditions — stems can die back individually. This dieback susceptibility is the primary limitation. Not drought-tolerant — requires consistently moist soil. Toxic to pets. Zones 2-8. Full sun to partial shade. Growth rate is moderate.

Native Range

The species C. sericea is native throughout temperate North America. 'Kelseyi' is a cultivar of garden origin selected for dwarf habit.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a low mass planting, ground cover substitute, rain garden component, and in containers of at least 10 gallons (38 L). Compact form (2-3 feet / 60-90 cm) fits where the species is too large. Moist soil sites. Red-green winter stems. Native species selection. Toxic to pets. Zones 2-8.

How to Identify

Identified by compact mounding habit 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) with red-green winter stems and ovate leaves with arcuate venation. The dwarf size distinguishes 'Kelseyi' from the full-sized species (6-10 feet / 1.8-3 m). The red-green stems are less vivid than the species type. In Cornaceae.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2' - 3'
Width/Spread3' - 4'

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

red
orange

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks
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Spring
Late spring (May-June). Creamy white tiny flowers in flat-topped cymes 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm). 3 weeks of bloom. Bee-pollinated. Small white berries follow — sparse.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Creamy white, tiny, in flat-topped cymes 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) diameter — smaller than the species

Foliage Description

Medium green, ovate with arcuate venation, 2-3 inches (5-7 cm) long; turns burgundy-red in fall in full sun

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full SunPartial Shade
Requires 3-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamclaysilt
Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3-4 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Full sun to partial shade (3-8 hours). Consistently moist soil pH 5.5-7.5. Not drought-tolerant. Susceptible to canker and twig blight — remove affected stems promptly. Less suckering than the species but monitor for stolons. Prune in early spring (February-March). Toxic to pets. Zones 2-8.

Pruning

Prune in early spring (February-March). Remove dead or blighted stems. Can be sheared lightly for a more formal mound. The compact mounding habit is natural — no coppicing required (unlike the full-sized species).

Pruning Schedule

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early spring

Maintenance Level

low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 10 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets