Description
Latin Name: Cornus stolonifera
DESCRIPTION
Family: Caprifoliaceae
Native Range: Native to most regions of Canada and the northern United States.
Seed Source: Natural stand near Lake Margaurite, Saskatchewan.
Height and Spread: 3m x 2m (5 years).
Overview: 'Stevenson' red-osier dogwood is a medium shrub that is hardy and well adapted to northern temperate growing conditions. The seeds train is named in honour of A.P. Stevenson, renowned horticulturist and a tree planting technician at the Dominion Forest Nursery Station from 1901 to 1922.
Fruit: Berry-like drupe 0.5 cm in diameter containing a single seed.
Average number of seeds/packet: 200
SEED TREATMENT / SOWING
Stratification: Stratify in moist sand (10% moisture) for 70 days at 5°C.
Ideal sowing time: Non-pretreated seed outdoors in late September (will germinate the following spring) or stratified seed in spring.
Sowing instructions: Sow 2.0 cm deep, 50 seeds/meter; Greenhouse - sow 3 seeds per cell.
Growing conditions: 'Stevenson' red-osier dogwood grows on a wide variety of soils but favors moist, loamy soils re and a pH of 5.0 to 8.0. It is shade tolerant but prefers a sunny exposure.
AGROFORESTRY VALUE
'Stevenson' red-osier dogwood is suited for shelterbelts, Eco-Buffers, and wildlife habitat plantings. A dense root system and rhizomes make it useful for soil stabilization and erosion control on moist sites including streambanks. It provides good food and cover for birds plus small and large mammals. The berries are edible.
