Cayenne Dogwood

Cornus amomum 'Cayenne'

First Editions®

Vibrant Red Stems Light up Winter Landscapes When Other Shrubs Fade to Gray
Thrives in Zones 4-9
Grows 6-8 ft Tall, 8-10 ft Wide
Native, Pollinator-Friendly - Attracts Butterflies
Showy White Blooms in Late Spring

$77⁴²

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Plant Size

#3 Container

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Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Aim for at least six hours of direct sun daily; this amount of light is crucial for producing the most vivid, electric-red stem color in winter. While Cayenne Dogwood tolerates partial shade (2–4 hours), expect the winter stems to be slightly duller, reducing the shrub's primary ornamental value.
Soil: This shrub is tough and adaptable, thriving best in consistently moist, fertile soil that leans slightly acidic to neutral. If you have heavy clay or very sandy soil, incorporate copious amounts of organic compost or aged manure to help the soil hold moisture and improve texture.

Watering Requirements

During the first year, keep the soil consistently moist until the plant is fully established, which generally means watering deeply once a week unless you receive heavy rain. Once mature, Cayenne Dogwood is quite adaptable but prefers steady moisture, so water thoroughly during prolonged dry spells. Inconsistent watering leads to stress, which results in less vigorous new growth and duller stem color, defeating the purpose of growing this variety.

Pruning Tips

The goal of pruning Cayenne Dogwood is to stimulate the youngest, brightest red stems, as the oldest wood fades to brown. The plant blooms on old wood, but since it is grown for stem color, we perform renewal pruning in late winter or early spring while the shrub is completely dormant. Each year, simply cut one-third of the oldest, thickest, brown-tinged canes right down to the ground to make room for vibrant, colorful new growth.

Fertilizer Needs

This Dogwood is not a heavy feeder, but a light annual application in the spring will encourage robust growth. Apply a granular, balanced, slow-release fertilizer, like a 10-10-10 formula, just as the new leaves begin to emerge. What you must avoid is applying high-nitrogen fertilizer late in the growing season (after mid-summer), as this stimulates soft, late growth that will not have time to harden before winter and may suffer frost damage.

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Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
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$199+	FREE

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Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Cold hardy, Flowering, Fall Color/Interest, Ornamental Berries/Fruit, Clay Tolerant, Wet Soils, Deer-resistant, Hedge/Screen
Hardiness Zone	5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
Sunlight	Full sun, Partial shade
Height	6-8 ft
Width	8-10 ft
Watering Needs	High
Preferred Soil	Clay, Loamy, Peaty, Sandy
Growth Rate	Moderate
Growth Habit	Bushy, Compact, Spreading
Blooms In	Spring
Flower Color	White
Foliage Color	Green, Other, Red
Native	Yes
Suitable Space	Outdoors
Plant Name	Dogwood
Botanical Name	Cornus amomum 'Cayenne'
Species	amomum
Cultivar	Cayenne
Class	Cornales
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

Talk about hot and spicy! First Editions® Plants has introduced a new and exciting type of dogwood to the market! The First Editions® Cayenne Dogwood (Cornus amomum 'Cayenne'). This spicy shrub is a fantastic improvement on an American classic.

Springtime brings fresh green leaves and beautiful white flowers. These big landing pads are sought after by beneficial insects, bees, and butterflies all spring, with sparse, intermittent, additional flowering sometimes continuing into summer! The show continues with a summer of thick green foliage and porcelain blue berries that is quite attractive to songbirds. Then in the fall after the orange-red leaves drop, you are left with a winter of fire-red stems! These stand out against the greys and browns of winter like red-hot pokers.

Red Twig Dogwoods are well-loved American trees and shrubs. You can count on them for reliable color year in and year out. They are super hardy native cultivars that thrive without much care all over the country. Heat and cold-hardy, thriving throughout USDA growing zones 4 to 9 and growing 6-8 feet in height but spreading 8-10 feet wide.

Planting and Application:

Cayenne Red Twig Dogwood creates naturalized thickets and wildlife-friendly groves, filling areas with lovely foliage and color for privacy and property definition! Plant on a hillside or slope to control erosion and fast rainwater and they also work well in tough Rain Garden situations.

Excellent massed or as a specimen or effective in shrub borders where plants can be combined with evergreens or Red Twig Dogwoods for a unique display! The variegated foliage stands out against an evergreen hedge or a dark home as a foundation planting. This tall and wide shrub loves moist areas and is perfect for wetland mitigation. Try them in big masses for a show-stopping winter effect. They are great specimen plants in small gardens, too. Try growing them naturally without any shearing to keep them in size to enjoy flowers and fruit without shearing them off!

Clusters of White Blossoms
Gorgeous Green Spreading Form
Bright Blue Berries for Birds
Orange Fall Color & Dramatic Red Stems
Four Season & Wildlife Interest
Great in Masses, Naturalizing, Hedges & Privacy

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Dogwoods are tolerant of partial shade, however, for redder stems and good fall leaf color, full sun is best. Best grown in organically rich, medium to wet soils in full sun to part shade. Cayenne is tolerant of a wide range of soils, including swampy or boggy conditions. Mulch with a layer 3 to 4 inches deep to 3 feet outside of the canopy to ensure the root stays cool in the hot summer. Increase water during dry extreme heat. In the fall, prune the beautiful red stems for your Holiday containers or renewal prune your shrub by trimming out only the thick, old stems down to ground level every 3-5 years to leave the young stems in place to bloom and fruit with abandon.

Loves Full Sun but Can Grow in Partial Shade
Adaptable to Wet & Dry Soils
Can Grow in Wet or Dry Conditions
Seldom Damaged by Deer & Extraordinarily Cold Hardy
Prune In Late Winter/Early Spring

A new classic, First Editions® Cayenne Dogwood deserves a place in your garden this year. Order yours from Nature Hills today!

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Growing Zones 4-9

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Frequently Asked Questions

What planting zones is the Cayenne Dogwood hardy in?

The Cayenne Dogwood is hardy in USDA zones 4 through 9. This native cultivar handles both heat and cold extremes exceptionally well across most of the country. Plant it in moist soil for best results.

How big does Cayenne Dogwood get at maturity?

Cayenne Dogwood reaches 6-8 feet tall and spreads 8-10 feet wide at maturity. This native shrub thrives in USDA zones 4-9 and grows naturally into attractive thickets. Give it plenty of space to spread, available at naturehills.com.

What kind of soil does Cayenne Dogwood prefer, and is it tolerant of wet or clay soils?

Cayenne Dogwood thrives in moist soils and handles wet conditions exceptionally well, making it perfect for rain gardens and wetland areas. It's also tolerant of clay soils and works great for erosion control on slopes. Plant it in consistently moist spots for best results.

How hardy is Cayenne Dogwood in hot summers or warmer winters?

Cayenne Dogwood is heat and cold hardy, thriving in USDA zones 4-9. This native cultivar handles temperature extremes well without much care. Plant it in consistently moist soil for best performance in hot climates.

Is Cayenne Dogwood resistant to diseases like anthracnose, powdery mildew, or pests like Japanese beetles?

Cayenne Dogwood shows good natural resistance to common dogwood diseases and pests as a hardy native cultivar. Its robust nature in zones 4-9 means fewer disease issues than more sensitive varieties. For best results, provide good air circulation and avoid overhead watering to prevent any fungal problems.

How should I prune Cayenne Dogwood to keep the red stems vibrant?

For the most vibrant red winter stems, prune one-third of the oldest canes to the ground each late winter or early spring. This encourages fresh young growth, which produces the brightest red color. Avoid shearing to maintain the natural 6-8 foot height and flowering habit.

Will Cayenne Dogwood produce berries or flowers, and are they attractive to wildlife?

Cayenne Dogwood produces white spring flowers followed by porcelain blue berries in summer that attract bees, butterflies, and songbirds. The large flowers serve as landing pads for beneficial insects, while birds seek out the attractive berries. Allow natural growth without shearing to maximize flowering and fruit production for wildlife.

Cayenne Dogwood

Cornus amomum 'Cayenne'