Cornus sericea Hedgerow's Gold - Red osier dogwood

Cornus sericea (or stolonifera) 'Hedgerow's Gold' is a variety of stoloniferous dogwood with foliage that is initially tinged with bronze when it opens in spring, then beautifully variegated with golden yellow and emerald green in the centre until summer. In autumn, it takes on an astonishing colouration if it receives plenty of sunlight: first red and orange, then wine-red to red. Its green stems turn bright red in winter. It produces small, white flowers in summer and then pretty small white berries that resemble pearls. This upright variety has a place in a minimalist setting, a wild garden, or a moist and wooded area.

Cornus sericea belongs to the dogwood family, just like its Asian cousin, Cornus alba, with which it shares many characteristics. Native to eastern North America, from Alaska and Newfoundland to Virginia, this stoloniferous dogwood, also known as silky dogwood due to the presence of a downy layer on the underside of its leaves, is extremely hardy but cannot tolerate heat or dry soils. In the wild, this species, which spreads rapidly through stolons, colonises wet banks and marshy areas.

The cultivar 'Hedgerow's Gold' stands out for its variegated foliage and red winter wood. The shrub has an upright habit that becomes somewhat spreading with age and reaches an average height of 3m to 3.60m with a corresponding spread if not restricted in lateral growth. It bears opposite, ovate, lanceolate, 5 to 10cm long, strongly veined, emerald green leaves, edged with yellow. Coppery when budding, and red in autumn. The young green branches gradually turn bright red. The white flowers in flattened, 3 to 5cm diameter cymes, are not very visible and are followed by quite decorative white or bluish berries which are quickly eaten by birds.

Cornus sericea 'Hedgerow's Gold' is an excellent choice for bringing brightness to the garden in winter and year-round ornamentation. It can be planted individually in a small garden, as a background for flower beds, or in large groves with other varieties of stoloniferous coloured wood dogwoods, as well as with red or Florida dogwoods, for a superb mix of colours. Its vibrant branches contrast with the dark or bluish foliage of conifers and accompany the spring blooms of azaleas, pieris, and rhododendrons in acidic soil. For a structured and interesting garden year-round, 'Hedgerow's Gold' can be used as a border for an informal hedge, mixed with bamboo, choisya, nandina, or camellia. If the soil in your garden is occasionally waterlogged or poorly drained, this shrub will be a good choice.