Red Osier Dogwood vs Northern Red Currant - TreeTime.ca

Red Osier Dogwood vs Northern Red Currant

Ribes triste

Cornus sericea

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

Northern Red Currant
Red Osier Dogwood

The Northern Red Currant is also known as the Swamp Red currant due to its preference for moist soil. As long as the soil is wet, this shrub can live in any degree of sunlight.

The currant itself is a bright red-purple berry enjoyed by many animals and some people for its sour flavour, similar to garden red currants. The flowers of this shrub are tiny and red or greenish-purple.

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.

Northern Red Currant Quick Facts

Red Osier Dogwood Quick Facts

Zone: 1a
Zone: 2a
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Height: 2.7 m (9 ft)
Spread: 0.8 m (2.5 ft)
Spread: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Light: any
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: none
Suckering: medium


Fall colour: dark red
Bark: dark red, showy
Flowers: reddish or greenish purple
Flowers: white
Berries: shiny, sour, bright red
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)
Other Names: swamp red currant
Other Names: american dogwood, california dogwood, creek dogwood, dogberry tree, red dogwood, red twig dogwood, redosier dogwood, redstem dogwood, western dogwood