Cornus sericea Baileyi - Stoloniferous Dogwood

The Cornus sericea 'Baileyi', also known as Cornus stolonifera, is one of those extremely hardy North American bushes that are accustomed to frozen soil and bring a touch of fantastic colour to our misty winters. A fast-growing bush, less spreading than the species, it transforms itself in winter into a large cluster of branches of a striking coral red colour that is truly admirable, especially when it snows. Its deciduous foliage turns an intense purple in autumn before falling, which is an additional asset, as well as its small white-blue berries that birds enjoy. Stunning when planted alone or mixed with other varieties with colored wood, this somewhat magical bush can also create a surprise when placed in front of a screen of conifers or evergreens with dark, golden, or purple foliage.

Cornus sericea belongs to the cornaceae family, just like its Asian cousin Cornus alba, with which it shares many characteristics. Native to the eastern part of North America, from Alaska and Newfoundland to Virginia, this stoloniferous dogwood, also known as silky dogwood, has an unbeatable hardiness but cannot tolerate heat or dry soils. In nature, this rapidly preading species through stolons, colonises wet banks and marshy areas. The 'Baileyi' cultivar stands out for the unique color of its wood in winter, as well as its less invasive root system. The bush has a rather round, slightly loose habit and reaches an average height and spread of 2.40 m (8 ft) if not limited in lateral development. It bears opposite, ovate, lanceolate leaves, 5 to 10 cm (2-4 in) long, strongly veined, dark green but turning an intense purple in autumn. The young greenish branches gradually turn red-purple before taking on their characteristic bright coral red colour in winter. The pale yellow flat-topped flowers, 3 to 5 cm (1.2-2 in) in diameter, give way to quite decorativewhite-blue berries which quickly disappear due to birds' appetite.

Cornus sericea 'Baileyi' can be planted alone in a small garden or in the background of borders, in large clusters along with other stoloniferous dogwoods like 'Flaviramea', 'Kelsey Gold', 'Silver and Gold', bloodtwig dogwoods, or Florida dogwoods for a mix of colors. It warms up dark green evergreen foliage with its red branches and accompanies the spring flowering of azaleas, andromedas, and rhododendrons in acidic soil. Use it as a border in a mixed hedge with spotted laurel, choisya, nandina, or camellia. It is widely used to fill large slopes and create beautiful hedges in gardens. If the soil in your garden is occasionally waterlogged or poorly drained, this bush will give you complete satisfaction, just like guelder roses, bald cypresses, or fringe trees.