Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea)

Difficulty: ⭐⭐☆☆☆
(Moderately easy — seeds are abundant but require cleaning and a long stratification period for best germination)

Seed Collection Time:

Late summer through early fall — typically September to October, when fruits are fully mature.

Signs Seeds are Ready:

Clusters of berries turn white to bluish-white, sometimes with a slight waxy coating.
Fully ripe berries feel soft when gently squeezed.
Seeds inside are hard and light tan to brown when ready.
Birds begin actively feeding on the berries, indicating peak ripeness.
Stems often display their characteristic deep red color by this point.

Seed Collection Steps:

Harvest ripe berries by hand or by clipping berry clusters directly from the plant.
Place berries in a bucket or bowl and mash gently to break up the pulp.
Add water and stir — viable seeds sink, while pulp and empty seeds float.
Carefully pour off floating debris and repeat rinsing several times until seeds are fully clean.
Spread cleaned seeds on a paper towel or fine screen and allow them to air dry for several days in a cool, shaded location.

Germination Tips:

Red osier dogwood seeds have a deep dormancy and germinate best with a two-step stratification process.

W(90): Start with warm, moist stratification for 90 days at about 70°F (21°C).
C(90–120): Follow with cold, moist stratification for 3–4 months at 34–40°F (1–4°C).
Refrigerate seeds in moist sand, peat, or vermiculite, or sow outdoors in late fall for natural seasonal stratification.
Sow seeds ¼ inch deep, lightly covering them with soil.
Keep soil consistently moist, especially during germination and early seedling growth.
Germination is slow and may take a full year, with some seeds sprouting the second spring after sowing.