Featured Plant: Arctic Fire® Red Twig Dogwood

Those Plant Ladies

January 2021

We’re so excited to be kicking off a featured plant series for our blog! Each month, we want to highlight a plant we love that’s showing off during that particular month (or around that time, depending on your climate). The plants we feature will be ones that we have seen, grown, worked with, and know are destined for greatness in your landscape.

For our very first featured plant in January 2021, we have selected the Arctic Fire® red twig dogwood! January may seem like a strange time to be talking about plants but when we find plants that can really add interest to the landscape at this time of the year, it’s definitely worth sharing!

All varieties of red twig dogwoods will lose their leaves in the fall revealing striking red stems that hold their vibrant color throughout the entire winter. This is their time to shine! We don’t get as much snow here in the foothills of North Carolina as we might like but, wow do those stems look good against a white snowy backdrop! Even if you don’t have the snow, these still look lively and add color to an otherwise drab-looking winter yard.

Red Twig Dogwood and their bright red stems as part of the Featured Plant Series by Those Plant Ladies; January 2021.

In warmer months, this plant is a nice filler shrub. It fills out very nicely with bright green leaves, providing lushness to the summer landscape. In the late spring and summer, if conditions are right, this plant will put on noticeable blooms. They won’t be the showstopper of your landscape but they do add some nice variety and resources for wildlife and insects.

Red Twig Dogwood in full bloom as part of the Featured Plant Series by Those Plant Ladies; January 2021.

We love the Arctic Fire® variety because it is the perfect size for many home landscapes. While other varieties range from 6-10 feet tall, Arctic Fire® maxes out between 3-4 feet tall. We love to use it along woodline borders, with evergreens along deep foundation beds, and as focal points in practically any bed.

BONUS:

Cut stems make amazing additions to planters or floral arrangements for the indoors or outdoors throughout the year! Want some ideas on holiday arrangements and decorations you can create with the plants in your own yard? Get our FREE Holiday Greenery Guide!

Red Twig Dogwood -- the stems used indoors -- as part of the Featured Plant Series by Those Plant Ladies; January 2021.

We’ve included all of the growing details here for your reference so you’ll know just where to plant this plant in your own landscape.

Height: 3-4 feet
Width: 3-4 feet
Sunlight: Full sun to part shade
Water: Moderate, well-drained soil. Does not tolerate extreme drought, water during dry periods
Hardiness Zone: 3-7
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Late Spring to Summer