Pruning red twig dogwood regularly will give you the most vibrantly-colored stems.
Massimiliano Finzi / Getty Images
Red twig dogwoods are exceptionalshrubs for adding gorgeous color to your yard.
Their scarlet-hued bare stems practically glow in the winter landscape.
Credit:Massimiliano Finzi / Getty Images
Use this simple guide to figure out when and how to prune your red twig dogwood shrubs.
Itthrives in USDA Zones 3-7, making it an extremely cold tolerantoption for thick hedgesin northern states.
In good growing conditions, these shrubs can easily reach upwards of 10 feet.
However,direct sun exposure during the winter monthsis key to bringing out their bright winter colors.
In the landscape, they look especially striking in winter when planted near evergreens.
Several red twig dogwood varieties have come onto the market in recent years.
As the stems age, they produce brown bark.
To maintain your shrub’s red color, some pruning is necessary.
Each year, begin by cutting off the oldest branches to about 8 inches above the soil level.
This will help avoid creating lopsided plants and bare spots.
Always use clean, sharp blades and make even cuts to minimize thechance of plant diseases taking hold.
To do so, cut the entire plant back to about 18 inches above the ground.
To cut through thick stems and branches, use a newly sharpened and sterilized pruning saw.
In most cases, healthy red twig dogwoods will slowly spread out from the original plant over the years.
Between the sucker and the main plant, use the shovel’s blade to cut the underground stem.
The sucker can then be pulled from the soil and removed or transplanted to a new location.
