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Homes & Gardens
Homes & Gardens
Thomas Rutter

February is the ideal time to prune red twig dogwood – to maximize its bold, fiery display next winter

Red winter dogwood stems.

Pruning red twig dogwood shrubs at the right time is essential if you want to maintain their vibrant glow. Young stems typically produce the brightest color, appearing in crimson shades during the dark and cold months of the year. As these stems age and weather, however, they naturally appear duller in color, making pruning an important job for anyone keen to maximize winter interest in their borders.

When left alone, red twig dogwood shrubs can reach upwards of 10 feet, making for a good hedge or boundary plant. Alternatively, you might grow one as a statement shrub in the border, which can look particularly impressive during the winter lull. Whichever shape or form you grow, pruning remains an important and timely job in the gardening calendar.

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