Why Plant Kelsey's Red Twig Dogwood?
A petite growth habit with stunning, four season interest - you can't help but falling for the darling Kelsey's Red Twig Dogwood! In late spring, clusters of sweet white flowers appear against the dark green foliage. As the season progresses, the small blooms transform into berries that are quite popular amongst the birds and other small wildlife! By fall, the foliage turns to hues of orange, red, and purple before falling for the season. At this time, most shrubs go quietly into dormancy, but not the Kelsey's Red Twig Dogwood! Bright red branches decorate your bleak winter landscape, providing just the right amount of color at the time of year when it's tough to come by! Don't wait to decorate your landscape with this darling, dwarf Red Twig Dogwood!
We can thank Harlan P. Kelsey, a 20th century American Landscape Architect, for the introduction of the Kelsey’s Red Twig Dogwood in 1939. Originally grown from the Red Twig Dogwood, we are unsure if he collected his specimens from the wild but he did grow many from seed due to its dwarf form. Harlan P. Kelsey’s plant collections can still be seen today, preserved at the Kelsey Arboretum.
How to use Kelsey's Red Twig Dogwood in the landscape?
This dwarf, colorful, deciduous, shrub is a must have for any landscape. Providing blooms in spring, berries and fall foliage, with winter interest, the Kelsey’s Red Twig Dogwood has it all packed into a compact shrub! Not only visually stunning, Kelsey’s Red Twig Dogwood can help with erosion control in areas that are suffering. Try utilizing this shrub in locations where a border or hedge may be formed, as a foreground plant in beds, or planted in containers allowing multiple display locations.
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zone: 2-8
How To Plant Kelsey's Red Twig Dogwood
The Kelsey’s Red Twig Dogwood prefers a location where full to part sun is available. For the deepest red winter color, it would be best to plant in full sun, but dappled shade won't hinder growth! It offers adaptability to various soil types, but prefers a moist, well draining soil. Maintenance is minimal as the only pruning needed is for shape and removing any damaged branching. The Kelsey Red Twig Dogwood is also tolerant of deer, drought, and other pests and diseases, making this a wonderful shrub to have at home!
How To Water
Once in the ground, you will want to keep a normal watering schedule for your Kelsey's Red Twig Dogwood at a minimum of twice a week until established. Once established, you may cut watering down to once a week or when necessary. We also recommend keeping an eye on local weather and watering during periods of inclement weather such as high heat or drought.
How To Fertilize
When planting, it's best to feed your Kelsey's Red Twig Dogwood with the Bower & Branch Elements Starter Plant Food. For ongoing care, fertilize in early spring each year, before the flush of new growth!
How To Prune
Generally speaking, the Kelsey’s Red Twig Dogwood requires minimal pruning. In winter, if you so choose, you may remove older growth to allow the push of new growth in the following season. We can also advise removing any dead or damaged branches for a more tidy look.
How Does Shipping Work?
Bower & Branch Trees, the real BIG trees, don’t fit in a box! Our big trees, sizes XL and bigger, require expert delivery and care, that means our extra-large trees are shipped on Bower & Branch trucks. We are the only ones who know how to ship our big and bigger trees and plants with tender loving care. We deliver your trees and plants directly to you. Ask Bower & Branch about planting services – we'd be happy to assist in installation.
*For Big trees and Shrubs, Size XL and bigger: Review our Seasonal Shipping Timelines and Policy here.
Your trees and plants are grown across the United States at various Bower & Branch Growers. Depending on your location, your plant orders may be shipped from various locations. Please expect orders with multiple items to be delivered over a number of days as a result. Orders made up of numerous items or selections will not arrive at your home on the same day.
Shipping Delays:
From time to time, Bower & Branch Growers may determine to delay order shipment based on various factors for plant health. Weather in your region, as well as, where your plants are grown, is always considered when shipping. Extreme weather conditions may delay some or all of your order. Bower & Branch allows our Growers to make final shipping decisions based solely to benefit your trees and plants’ health and success.
How Does Sizing Work?
The size of our trees have nothing to do with the container size like you may find elsewhere–big doesn't mean just height - it’s also vigor, age, and overall health. Other online retailers are going to tell you that a plant is a seven gallon, that means nothing to your tree or plant (or you.)
Our trees for sale online are graded on large, x-large, and even bigger sizes. This is because our trees are sized by their age—the higher the letter, the more mature the tree. The age determines the trees’ overall height, size of the trunk and the overall branch density.
All of these characteristics are what you should be looking for when choosing a tree for immediate impact and instant curb appeal. Our extra-large tree and plant sizes are sure to wow you and your neighbors!
See the size guides below.
