Overwintering guide
How to overwinter red osier dogwood
Winter watering
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
The mistake that kills red osier dogwood in winter
Cutting red osier dogwood hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.
More red osier dogwood care
Overwintering red osier dogwood — FAQ
Does red osier dogwood need to come indoors for winter?
Red Osier Dogwood is hardy to roughly USDA zone 2 — winter lows around -46°C. That means it can stay outside all winter in most temperate gardens. Red Osier Dogwood is properly hardy and overwinters outside without fuss. Tidy away anything dead or diseased, apply a mulch over the crown to steady soil temperatures, and otherwise leave it alone — many hardy plants actually need a cold period to flower and grow well the following year. Save hard pruning for the right season rather than doing it in autumn.
When should I move red osier dogwood for winter?
Tidy and mulch in late autumn; leave the plant undisturbed until spring.
How often should I water red osier dogwood in winter?
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
What kills red osier dogwood over winter?
Cutting red osier dogwood hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.