I first fell in love with red twig dogwoods about 25 years ago when a gardening friend took me to visit another of her friends. The sweet woman pointed out a large, multi-stemmed shrub growing in the middle of her lawn. She told me it was a red twig dogwood, and I thought to myself, “What a strange-looking dogwood.” It was midsummer, and the shrub did not look all that appealing to me, but I was so plant hungry at the time that I gladly accepted two suckers she dug out for me. Was I surprised that winter when the stems turned a brilliant red! I wanted more, so I asked about red twig dogwoods at local nurseries but with no success. I eventually learned that they are highly susceptible to stem canker and blight, especially in the South. Still, red twig dogwoods are hard to beat for their colorful show in winter, so I continued to plant them, typically getting five or so years of enjoyment out of a plant before it would succumb to disease. The way I figured, potato chips don’t last long either, but I buy them over and over.
In the winter of 2011 while driving to Charlottesville, Virginia, Michael Dirr spotted a bright red-twig silky dogwood (Cornus amomum) growing in a swamp on the side of the highway. He waded out among the beavers to snag some cuttings, and ‘Cayenne’ was born. Silky dogwood was not particularly known for its stem color until this roadside discovery. It’s native along streams, edges of swamps, and other low areas across much of the eastern United States and isn’t affected by stem canker like many other Cornus species.
‘Cayenne’ has fresh green foliage all summer. Numerous small white flowers that look similar to Queen Anne’s lace are produced on the end of the stems in late spring and give way to clusters of pea-size porcelain blue fruit in late summer. The fruits are enjoyed by birds as well as people. As the temperatures cool, the real show begins, with the leaves turning orange-red, then dropping to reveal bright red stems.
As with the other species of red twig dogwoods, ‘Cayenne’ is a multistemmed shrub that spreads by suckers. The best winter stem color occurs on young new growth. Once the stems are a couple of years old, the bark matures to gray. To ensure fresh, colorful stems each year, older stems should be cut back close to the ground in late winter or early spring. Strong new stems will quickly spring forth. Thanks to Dirr, there is finally a red twig dogwood that can be enjoyed even in Southern gardens for many years—and now I’ll have more money to spend on potato chips.
‘Cayenne’ silky dogwood
(Cornus amomum ‘Cayenne’)
Zones: 4–9
Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; moist, well-drained soil
—Jason Reeves is research horticulturist at the University of Tennessee Gardens–Jackson.
Illustration: Elara Tanguy
Sources:
Fine Gardening Recommended Products
isYoung Birdlook® Smart Bird Feeder with Camera
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Upgraded Dual Granary Bird Feeder. G11 Smart Bird Feeder with Camera – The upgraded dual granary design allows for separate food dispensing, giving birds the freedom to choose while preserving the food’s original taste. With a 2L extra-large capacity, it reduces the need for frequent refills. The drainage design ensures the food stays dry and prevents spoilage from rain. Ideal as a camera bird feeder for birdwatching enthusiasts. 2K HD Camera & Close-Up Bird Watching. Experience clear bird watching with the G11 smart bird feeder. This bird feeder with camera features a 170-degree wide-angle lens and a 1296P HD camera, ensuring vibrant images and videos. With AI-powered recognition, it can identify over 16,000 bird species (subscription required, first month free) and provides extensive birding knowledge. Its unique design helps attract more birds to your backyard. App Alerts & Super Night Vision. The smart bird feeder camera detects motion within 0.5 seconds and sends instant notifications through the “VicoHome” app. With a 2.4G Wi-Fi connection, you can view real-time updates on bird activity right from your app. The video bird feeder also features night vision, ensuring vibrant images and videos even in low light conditions. Ideal for wild bird feeders, this advanced functionality enhances your bird-watching experience day and night.
Bee Watering Station with Vivid Flower Design
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Thoughtful Combo: You will receive a bee feeder and 30 glass marbles. This thoughtful combo can provide clean water for the bees, you just need to put the marbles into the bee watering station, add water (note: the water level should not exceed the height of the marbles) and hang them in the right place. The round, colored marbles can provide a place for the bees to stand and prevent them from falling into the water, effectively keeping the bees safe. Fine Material: This exquisite bee bath is made of high quality iron material, smooth surface, rust and weather resistant, not easy to fade, sturdy and reliable. Bee cups for garden can well meet the drinking water needs of lovely bees, and it can also provide food for bees, such as sugar water, nectar, etc., attracting more bees to your outdoor area and making your garden full of vitality. Perfect Size: The butterfly watering station has an overall height of 13.4 inches, a bowl diameter of 9.4 inches, and a weight of 0.44 pounds. The bee cup serves the needs of the bees well without plunging them into dangerously deep water or taking up unnecessary space in your garden, and this compact and efficient design makes it a practical addition to any outdoor space. Elegant Design: Our bee watering cups are designed in unique flower shapes with vibrant and realistic colours to attract lovely bees to your garden and patio, bee feeders for outside are not only functional but can also be used as a landscaping element, their vibrant floral patterns enhance the beauty of your garden. Multicolored Decoration: Colorful bee water stations look like flowers in a garden, flower bed or pot and attract bees and butterflies. They can drink or bathe in bee feeders, which are highly decorative and practical.
Spear & Jackson 4930FZ Razorsharp Telescopic Tree Pruner
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Telescopic tree pruner with SK5 carbon steel blade which stays sharper for longer. Variable length telescopic handle extends up to 92 Inch (2340mm). Lopper for cutting branches up to 1.2″ (30mm). 13 inch (330mm) saw is ideal for cutting thicker branches. Supplied with a long cord and pull-action handle. Part of the Razorsharp Advantage collection, the obvious choice for gardeners who demand and expect precise, powerful performance. “Grow Your Own” Great British Growing 2020 Award Winners.
