this is the time of year i really start to take notice of all the dogwood in my environment. it likes most soil, so we have a  lot of it.  the brilliant red against the brown and white backdrop of winter is a day brightener.  each thicket appears to have its own shade of red.  i assumed it was due to varying nutrients in the soil.  but wiki tells me it has more to do with relative amounts of sun and shade. whatever wiki, i love them.

red osier dogwood

rice creek regional trial, saint paul, minnesota