Arctic Fire® Yellow Red-Osier Dogwood

The Arctic Fire® Yellow Red-Osier Dogwood is a deciduous shrub characterized by its robust stature, standing tall at heights between 4 to 5 feet with a spread ranging from 5 to 6 feet. Native to North America, this plant is particularly suited for gardeners across hardiness zones 2 through 7. It blooms with white flowers come late spring and produces berries, enhancing the garden's aesthetic. The foliage is a deep green, offering a lush backdrop to the vibrant yellow stems that are especially prominent during winter.

In terms of its needs and maintenance, this dogwood is versatile, thriving in conditions from part shade to full sun. It's known for its easy maintenance level and requires water in average amounts. When it comes to pruning, early spring is the most suitable time, with older stems, which turn corky and brown, recommended for removal to preserve the plant's vivid coloration. For those seeking a reliable plant for borders, screening, or as a focal point, the Arctic Fire® Yellow Red-Osier Dogwood stands out not just for its aesthetics, but also for its resilience and adaptability in varied garden conditions.

1. Border Plant: Its moderate height and wide spread make the Arctic Fire® Yellow Dogwood a fantastic choice for bordering paths, driveways, or property lines, creating a vibrant boundary with its vivid yellow stems.
2. Cut Flower: The striking yellow stems, particularly when paired with its red counterpart, can be cut and used in various floral arrangements, enhancing indoor décor during winter months.
3. Screening: Its dense growth can act as a natural screen, providing privacy or hiding less appealing parts of the garden from view.
4. Landscape Feature: The bright yellow stems offer a burst of color, especially against snow-covered grounds, making it a prime focal point in a winter garden.
5. Mass Planting: Planting several of these shrubs together in a group can intensify their visual impact, creating a sea of yellow that stands out in a larger landscape.
6. Container Gardens: For those with limited space or wanting to add elevation and contrast, this dogwood can be effectively grown in large containers, especially when highlighting entrances or patios.
7. Winter Gardens: Its resilience to cold and its vibrant winter color make it a must-have in winter-themed gardens.
8. Woodland Gardens: As a native to North America, it complements natural, woodland-style landscapes beautifully.
9. Mixed Shrub Borders: Combining it with other shrubs of varying colors, heights, and textures can create a dynamic and layered visual appeal throughout the year.
10. Under Large Trees: Given its tolerance to partial shade, it can be planted under the canopy of larger trees, where it can still thrive and offer ground-level color.

Planting Instructions:

1. Site Selection: Choose a location with good drainage that receives part shade to full sun. This dogwood is versatile, but it's best to consider its light requirements for optimal growth.
2. Soil Preparation: Loosen the soil to a depth of about 12-15 inches using a shovel or garden fork. Mix in some compost or well-decomposed manure to enrich the soil, ensuring good fertility.
3. Planting Depth: Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. Position the plant so that the top of the root ball is level with the ground surface.
4. Backfilling: Refill the hole with the amended soil, gently patting down as you go to avoid air pockets.
5. Watering: Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil around the roots.

Care Instructions:

1. Watering: Water regularly, but allow the soil to dry out between watering sessions. While it requires average moisture, ensure it doesn’t sit in stagnant water.
2. Fertilizing: In early spring, apply a granular fertilizer formulated for trees and shrubs. Follow the package instructions for proper dosage.
3. Pruning: For the best yellow color, focus on one to two-year-old stems. Older stems may turn corky and brown. You can either cut back the entire plant to short stubs every other year or remove one-third of the oldest stems annually. Early spring is the ideal time for pruning.
4. Mulching: Apply a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch around the base of the shrub, but not touching the stem, to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
5. Pests/Diseases: This dogwood is relatively hardy. Watch out for common pests like the dogwood sawfly or diseases such as twig blights. Act promptly if you notice any issues.