This dogwood has bright foliage color and stem color in winter. The foliage is bright golden, turning to red in the fall. The newer stems of this dogwood are also red in the winter, giving it four seasons of interest. It matures to around 8 feet tall and wide but can be easily pruned shorter. This shrub will also produce small white flowers followed by whitish berries in the fall that attract birds. Older stems do need to be pruned out every few years if winter twig color is desirable.

It grows well in full sun to part shade and consistently moist soil. It works best as a foundation plant, as a mass planting, or as a hedge.