Propagating Cornus Stolonifera

Seed Propagation

• Redosier dogwood produces flowers in spring that mature into fruit appropriate for seed collection from August to October. For germination to occur, some seeds must be cold-stratified at 40 F for one to three months. Some seeds will grow from whole berries, while others require scarification of the seed coat to emerge. The seeds can last for as long as eight years in cold storage. The germination habits of seeds may vary based on the locale where they were collected.

Cuttings

• Taking cuttings is a more reliable method for propagating this plant. Take one-year old, 18-inch wood cuttings in spring, before buds break open. Provide water to keep soil and cuttings moist as they are taking root. Rooting hormone is not necessary. Plant the cuttings 8 to 10 feet apart, and control weeds attentively as they are establishing. You can also take hardwood cuttings and plant them in winter for a successful rooting.

Natural Propagation

• In its natural environment, redosier dogwood has its own methods for propagating itself. Insects cross pollinate the plants when flowers appear from May to June. Seeds from the mature fruits usually germinate after a natural cold period. The plant also propagates vegetatively through underground stems and the formation of rooting nodes when stems touch the ground. Injured stems, roots and branch bases can form new plants, resulting in a thicket style of growth.

Growth Conditions

• Redosier dogwood is adaptable to many conditions and regions, but prefers moist, well-drained soil the most. In its natural environment, it grows in swamps, near streams, among wetland margins, on rocky slopes and within open forests. The best soil for the dogwood is rich is nitrogen and minerals in a location with partial to full sunlight. Full shade will suppress the plant, but it can survive in the understory of open forests. It can also tolerates seasonal flooding and very cold temperatures.