Red osier dogwood

January 11, 2026 Cornus sericea, aka red osier dogwood, with its brilliant red bark is a real standout in winter. You can root it right in water for a fun experiment at home! If you have this shrub on your property, snip a cutting close to the base of the shrub, cut the twig into pieces if it's too long. Pop the twigs into a clear jar of fresh water. Change the water every 3-5 days to prevent build up, and in about 30 days you'll begin to see roots form. The cuttings can be left in water until they are time to plant in spring. Please DO NOT take cuttings from natural areas unless you have the express permission of the land owner. The Friends of Carlington Woods has a Land Access Permit with the National Capital Commission and is allowed to take samples for regrowth and/or educational purposes. @NationalCapitalCommission #dogwood #urbanforest #ottawa #nativespecies See the rooting videos from last year: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ot4RQzjjrlo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSvmdcX_SJE