Cornus sericea ‘Baileyi’, commonly known as Bailey Red Osier Dogwood, is a native cultivar selected for its especially vivid red winter stems and consistent growth habit. Like the species, it is a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub reaching 6 to 9 feet tall and wide, but ‘Baileyi’ is often chosen when strong winter color and uniform performance are priorities.

During late spring, flat-topped clusters of small white flowers bloom and attract pollinators. These are followed by white berries in summer that provide food for birds. Green foliage fills out the shrub through the growing season and may take on subtle red tones in fall before dropping to reveal the cultivar’s standout feature—bright red stems that remain highly visible through winter.

Bailey Red Osier Dogwood performs best in full sun to part shade and prefers moist to wet soils. It tolerates clay, periodic flooding, and difficult sites, making it especially useful in rain gardens, stream buffers, and restoration-style plantings where reliability and visual impact are both important.

Why choose Bailey Red Osier Dogwood

Enhanced winter color: Selected for especially bright red stems
Consistent habit: Reliable growth for hedgerows and mass plantings
Wildlife value: Flowers and berries support pollinators and birds

Cultivating tips

Sun exposure: Full sun to part shade
Soil needs: Moist to wet soils; tolerant of clay and seasonal flooding
Maintenance: Low—remove older stems in late winter to promote colorful new growth

Designs for your garden

Rain gardens and wetlands: Performs well in saturated soils
Winter-interest plantings: Red stems provide strong seasonal contrast
Native hedgerows: Creates dense cover and structure

Ecological benefits

Native cultivar shrub: Derived from a North American species
Bird support: White berries provide seasonal food
Pollinator value: Spring flowers attract beneficial insects

Plant appearance may vary by season and growing conditions. All plants ship healthy with established root systems.