Pucker Up! Red Twig Dogwood

Pucker Up!® is a compact red-twig dogwood selected for glossy, puckered leaves with a distinctive quilted texture. Spring Meadow Nursery identifies the exact selection as Cornus sericea ‘Neil Z’ (PP24,812; CBR 4767), and describes its mature size as 3–4 feet tall and wide. [Spring Meadow Nursery](https://springmeadownursery.com/plantfinder/pucker-up-18770) notes that the foliage has strong leaf-spot resistance. ## Seasonal Interest The deciduous shrub has green foliage, small white spring flowers, and some red coloration on young stems. Its foliage texture is the main ornamental feature; the breeder says it is grown primarily for its leaves rather than its stems. The listed hardiness range is USDA zones 3–8, in full sun or part sun. ## Growing Conditions Pucker Up! does best in moist or wet soil and tolerates dry conditions once established. The breeder lists it for mass plantings, hedges, rain gardens, cutting gardens, naturalizing, and foundation plantings. Deer resistance and salt tolerance are also listed by the breeder. ## Maintenance This selection grows slowly, so the breeder does not recommend routine pruning to produce red stems. Prune selectively in early spring only when needed or desired.