- Partial Shade to Full Sun (At Least 3 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)
- Mature Height 2 - 3 Feet
- Mature Spread 2 - 3 Feet
- Growing Zones 4 - 8
Kelsey Dwarf is the perfect Dogwood for smaller sized gardens. Its compact, ground-hugging shape makes it a winner as a small specimen at the front of a garden bed or used in large groups as edging. Cornus sericea ‘Kelsey’ has many of the same attributes that The taller Red Twig Dogwoods have. The leaves are deciduous with a nice fall color. Masses of bright red stems through the winter make it a great focal point for the garden in winter. Kelsey has an easy-care, low-growing, mounded shape that needs far less pruning to keep its shape.
Wildlife are attracted to Dwarf Dogwood. Native bees and butterflies adore the nectar at flowering, while songbirds will flock to the berries through the late summer. An added attraction for wildlife is the thick growth of leaves low to the ground. This provides a needed resting or hiding spot during the day for animals such as frogs and toads.
Kelsey Dwarf Dogwood Care
Dogwoods thrive on average, well-drained soil. A wide range of pH is tolerated. Fertilizer is almost never needed for this native cultivar. Too much feeding will produce lots of weak, disease susceptible leaves and very few flower stems. Kelsey Dwarf Dogwood will survive in either a wet location or somewhere on the drier side. Often this variety is chosen for planting in the middle zone of a Rain Garden. It tolerates wet feet in the winter and dryness throughout the summer.
Pruning is only needed in the early spring if there has been any damage from the winter or if the stems' red color has started to fade. Pruning out of dead, diseased, dying and diagonal stems is done for yearly maintenance. Once every 2-3 years a hard cut back of the oldest stems can be done to encourage new vigorous red shoots. Deer and rabbit resistance is good.
Kelsey Dwarf Dogwood Spacing
Proper spacing of Dwarf Dogwoods is very important to keep this shrub disease and pest free. The overall height is 2-3 feet and a width of 2-3 feet. Planting 3 feet, center on center, will allow for good air circulation and proper branch formation.
Kelsey Dwarf Dogwood Information
| USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 - 8 |
| Plant Type: Bushes |
| Light Exposure: Partial Shade to Full Sun |
| Mature Height: 2 - 3 Feet |
| Mature Spread: 2 - 3 Feet |
| Spacing: 2 - 3 Feet |
| Habit: Mounded, Spreading |
| Flower Color(s): White |
| Flower Description: |
| Bloom Period: Spring |
| Foliage Type: Herbaceous |
| Foliage Color(s): Green |
| Foliage Description: Dark Green |
| Seasonal Interest: Spring Flowering, Fall Interest |
| Watering: Average |
| Resists: Deer |
| Tolerates: Drought |
| Attracts: Bees, Butterflies |
| Container Role: |
| Uses: Borders, Groundcovers, Wetland Areas & Ponds, Wildlife Gardens |
| Features: Attracts Pollinators, Foliage Interest |
| Brand: |
| Common Name: Kelsey Dwarf Dogwood |
| Other Name(s): |
| Scientific Name: CORNUS SERICEA `KELSEY` |
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
4.5" Pot
 Also Know As:
   4.5" Container
 Plant Age:
   ~ 6 months
 Plant Size:
   ~ 3"-6"
 Pot Size:
   ~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
 Volume:
   1.42 quarts
Quart Pot
 Also Know As:
   Quart
 Plant Age:
   ~ 1 year old
 Plant Size:
   ~ 4"-8"
 Pot Size:
   ~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
 Volume:
   1.50 quarts
2.5 Quart
 Also Know As:
   2.5 Quart Pot
 Plant Age:
   ~ 1.5 year old
 Plant Size:
   ~ 8"-12"
 Pot Size:
   ~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
 Volume:
   2.20-2.30 quarts
#1 Pot
 Also Know As:
   #1 Container
    1 Gallon
 Plant Age:
   ~ 2 year old
 Plant Size:
   ~ 10"-14"
 Pot Size:
   ~ 7"H x 7.75"W
 Volume:
   2.26-3.73 quarts
#2 Pot
 Also Know As:
   #2 Container
    2 Gallon
 Plant Age:
   ~ 2-3 year old
 Plant Size:
   ~ 12"-18"
 Pot Size:
   ~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
 Volume:
   1.19-1.76 gallons
#3 Pot
 Also Know As:
   #3 Container
    3 Gallon
 Plant Age:
   ~ 3-4 year old
 Plant Size:
   ~ 12"-30"
 Pot Size:
   ~9.5"H x 11"W
 Volume:
   2.32-2.76 gallons
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addict Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)
Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)
Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations
Plant Shipping
Time of Order:
Summer Shipping
- If there is extreme heat we’ll delay shipping. Â
- We’ll have to review what areas the plants are traveling through along with your location
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an email with tracking information. Depending on the above criteria we’ll ship your plant(s) towards beginning of the following week from your order. We put together this helpful guide of what to do when you receive your plants in the mail.
It is important to know that all of our plants are clearly labeled for which growing zones the plant can survive in. The plants are thoroughly trialed and tested in every growing zone before we state the plant can grow in a zone. Again, our #1 priority is to ship the plants to you healthy and ready to thrive in your location. So we will do everything in our power to do so.
