Cardinal is one of the more popular cultivars of the native redosier dogwood and is notable for the coral or cherry red of its stems in winter. In late spring it produces small white flowers held in flattened clusters that attract butterflies. The white fruit attracts birds later in the season. Its reddish-purple leaves provide good fall color and the red stems provide contrast against a white winter background. Many gardeners do renewal or rejuvenation pruning in the early spring/late winter because newer stems have 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.