Red Osier Dogwood vs Bog Birch - TreeTime.ca

Red Osier Dogwood vs Bog Birch

Cornus sericea

Betula pumila

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Red Osier Dogwood
Bog Birch

Red Osier Dogwood is a small deciduous shrub that features deep red stems and twigs year-round, with creamy white flowers in the spring. This shrub will add a nice pop of color to your yard.

Red Osier Dogwood is an excellent soil stabilizer. It is fast growing and becomes drought tolerant once well established.

Bog Birch is a hardy, deciduous shrub native to North America. It thrives in wetlands, riparian zones, and boreal forests, and can be found as far north as the Arctic Circle—making it one of the few woody plants to grow in such extreme climates.

In Western Canada, it is especially common in moist lowlands, along streambanks, and in peatlands. Beyond its ecological role in stabilizing soils and supporting wildlife, Bog Birch is frequently used in reclamation and restoration projects due to its resilience and ability to establish quickly in disturbed or degraded landscapes.

Note: We use Bog Birch for Betula pumila. This species is also known by many other common names, including Dwarf Birch, Swamp Birch, and others. Please confirm the scientific name to ensure you are ordering the correct plant.

Red Osier Dogwood Quick Facts

Bog Birch Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $2.49 - SAVE UP TO 58%
Zone: 2a
Zone: 2a
Height: 2.7 m (9 ft)
Height: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Spread: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Spread: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: very fast
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Suckering: medium
Suckering: none


Fall colour: dark red
Fall colour: red-orange
Bark: dark red, showy
Flowers: white
Berries: white waxy
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no

In row spacing: 0.9 m (3 ft)

Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, NU, PE
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, NU, PE
Other Names: american dogwood, california dogwood, creek dogwood, dogberry tree, red dogwood, red twig dogwood, redosier dogwood, redstem dogwood, western dogwood
Other Names: dwarf birch, low birch, scrub birch, swamp birch