Plant Encyclopedia

Kelsey Dogwood

Cornus sericea ‘Kelseyi’

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Kelsey Dogwood, short compact shrub with green foliage

Discover More Information On Kelsey Dogwood

At first glance, you might think that the Kelsey dwarf dogwood (Cornus sericea ‘Kelseyi’) is a tree. However, this compact shrub is the perfect plant for those who need a little groundcover in their landscapes. This dogwood will bloom in the spring with clusters of lovely white flowers. After a while, the flowers turn into small berries that the neighborhood birds will love to pick off your plant. If you want a lush green shrub to add to your outdoor spaces, make sure to choose the Kelsey dwarf dogwood for your next project.

Plant Attributes

In the late spring, you will start to notice this dogwood coming to life. The lush green leaves come together to create a thick mat of green that you can enjoy from spring throughout the summer. During this time, the shrub flourishes with small white flowers.

After they have bloomed, the flowers are replaced by berries. These small berries become a treat for animals, but they are mildly toxic to humans. The lance-shaped green leaves transform into orange and red hues during the fall. As a real showstopper, this dogwood shines in the winter. With its dark red branches, it adds a fantastic element to your winter landscape.

Landscape Use

This multi-stemmed deciduous shrub has a more rounded form. With its average texture, it can easily blend into any landscape. If you are looking to balance your space, add one or more fine-textured shrubs for an effective composition. Your landscape will pop when you have several of these plants side by side.

The Kelsey dwarf dogwood does well in a mass planting. When you grow several of these plants together, you can enjoy lush green foliage throughout the summer months. This plant is perfect for those small spaces around your property. You might want to use it as a container plant for your patio or add it as an accent piece for your garden.

Due to its thick leaves, these shrubs also make an effective low hedge for your property. You can easily separate parts of your landscape when you add these dogwoods to your yard. With its beautiful shape and overall spread, the dogwood plant would be a perfect addition to your woodland gardens. If you have areas with erosion issues, the Kelsey dwarf dogwood adds some stability to the ground and helps with erosion control.

Planting & Care

When the plant has reached maturity, it will have a two to three-foot height and spread. Since it fills out at the ground, you don’t have to worry about adding any facer plants in front of it. This dogwood grows at a fast rate. Under the right conditions, you can expect this dogwood variety to live for 20 years.

The Kelsey dwarf dogwood can grow in USDA hardiness zones 2 to 8. This hardy shrub performs best in full sun to partial shade. It is an adaptable plant that will tolerate both dry and wet conditions. In some cases, the shrub prefers moist to wet soils. You want to use it in areas that tend to hold the water in your landscape. The Kelsey dwarf dogwood does not have a preference for a particular soil type of pH. It thrives in many different kinds of environments, including urban areas.

If you place this low-maintenance shrub in plenty of sunlight, then it becomes hassle-free. You can prune it at any time, but for the most part, this dogwood does not require any cutting.

Additional Information

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Kelsey Dogwood

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This dwarf dogwood has a short, compacted form. The thick green foliage looks excellent against the bases of those larger shrubs. The Kelsey dwarf dogwood works well as a border foundation or in a mass planting. However, this variety shines in the winter. Once the foliage has dropped, you will be treated to dramatic red twigs that spice up your winter landscape. You will not want to miss out on this spectacular little deciduous shrub.

At Arbor Valley Nursery, we have a full line of nursery products, including shrubs, trees, and flowers. As a provider for landscaping companies, nurseries, and other garden businesses, our team is ready to answer all your questions. We can even order this beautiful Kelsey dwarf dogwood for your inventory. With its striking winter color, you will not want to miss out on this hardy shrub. If you need more information about this dogwood, please take a few minutes to fill out the contact form.

Plant Features

  • Watering Needs: Water regularly to maintain evenly moist soil
  • Botanical Pronunciation: KOR-nus ser-E-se-a
  • Plant type: Shrub
  • Deciduous/evergreen: Deciduous
  • Growth rate: Moderate
  • Average landscape size: Moderate growing; reaches only 24 to 30 in. tall and wide.
  • Special features: Attractive Bark, Bird Friendly, Dwarf Plant, Fall Color, North American Native Selection, Tolerates Road Salt, Tolerates Urban Pollution, Year-round Interest
  • Dramatic Foliage: Bold Winter Interest
  • Foliage color: Green
  • Blooms: Late Spring
  • Flower color: White
  • Flower attributes: Showy Flowers
  • Garden style: Asian/Zen, Contemporary, Cottage, Rustic
  • Design Ideas: Does well in a mass planting
  • Companion Plants: Chokeberry (Aronia); Japanese Sweet Flag (Acorus); Astilbe (Astilbe); Summersweet (Clethra); Sweetspire (Itea); Turtlehead (Chelone)
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