Alleman's Compact redosier dogwood is notable for its rich, red stems in winter and its compact habit, which spreads by stolons or runners. Small white flowers bloom in late spring followed by white to pale blue drupes that appear in mid-summer and are beloved by birds. Most gardeners do renewal or rejuvenation pruning in early spring, because the younger stems provide the best color.

Members of the genus Cornus, commonly known as dogwoods, are welcome in the home garden for their multi-season interest -- be it flowers, fruit, foliage, and/or bark -- and their range of forms from small trees to suckering shrubs. The dominant display, however, varies among the species.

Dogwoods are native to cooler temperate areas of North America and Asia. The genus includes 45-60 species, divided into subgenera about which taxonomists disagree. The Chicago Botanic Garden's collection includes almost 100 varieties of dogwood from 20 species (7 of which are native) and over 2,400 plants.