Taxonomic Note: It is difficult to distinguish C. sericea (Redosier dogwood) and C. alba (Tatarian dogwood) using winter characteristics and their differences in general are minimal and both species are now included in Cornus sericea subsp. sericea. The inclusion of Redoiser dogwood, also previously known as C. stolonifera, in C. sericea subsp. sericea, separates it from its “western version” (Western or Creek Dogwood) which was listed as C. stolonifera var. occidentalis or simply C. occidentalis. Now the accepted name for the western form is Cornus sericea subsp. occidentalis.
The accepted Latin name of Redoiser dogwod at one time was Cornus stolonifera, then it was changed to Cornus sericea, and more recently, as explained above, to Cornus sericea subsp. sericea. The nursery trade does not quickly adopt changes in the Latin ("scientific") names of plant species resulting from taxonomic studies. This is probably, in part, a marketing strategy to avoid confusing the buying public. In any case, Redoiser dogwood may be offered by nurseries under the older designations.