Cornus sericea
Cornus sericea
Cornaceae · broadleaf deciduous shrub · introduced
Last updated
Red-twig dogwood is the standard understory shrub in wet riparian corridors throughout the Puget Sound lowlands. Thrives on Woodinville silt loam (Green River valley floor), Bellingham clay (depressions), and other poorly drained sites. Renovation prune in late winter (Feb-Mar) to encourage fresh red stem growth. Responds well to coppicing (90-95% removal). Paired with Douglas spirea, sedges, and rushes in rain gardens and riparian restoration.
— Chris Welch, ISA Certified Arborist
Red-twig dogwood (Cornus sericea, Cornaceae) is a deciduous broadleaf shrub native to North America, widespread except in the lower midwest and deep South. It reaches 6 to 9 feet tall with a multi-stemmed, suckering habit, spreading by underground stolons to form thickets. White flowers appear in flat-topped clusters from May to June, followed by white or ivory fruit. Fall color ranges from red-orange to purple, and bright red stems (or lime-green in 'Flaviramea') provide winter interest.
Red-twig dogwood grows in full sun on wet-tolerant soils (pH 4.8 to 7.5) with high tolerance of anaerobic conditions, hardy in Zones 3b to 9b. It tolerates deer browse, erosion, clay soil, and wet soil. It tolerates renovation pruning with 90 to 95 percent removal in late winter to maintain stem color. Maintenance is medium. Disease and pest associations mirror the Cornus genus broadly. Cultivars include 'Flaviramea' (yellow-green stems, RHS Award of Garden Merit), 'Baileyi,' 'Isanti,' and 'Kelseyi.'
Quick Facts
Phenological Calendar
As of April 3, 2026, Puget Sound stations range from 1070 to 1180.6 GDD₃₂. Cornus sericea has reached leaf emergence (1016 GDD₃₂) and is approaching bloom start, predicted around Apr 20.
Regional Season Tracker
GDD₃₂ accumulation across 7 Puget Sound stations · as of Apr 3, 2026| Station | GDD₃₂ | Current Stage | Next | To Go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issaquah / East King | 1,181 | Leaf emergence | Bloom start | 273 |
| Seattle / UW | 1,171 | Leaf emergence | Bloom start | 283 |
| Kent / Auburn | 1,111 | Leaf emergence | Bloom start | 343 |
| Olympia / Tumwater | 1,106 | Leaf emergence | Bloom start | 348 |
| Bellingham / Whatcom | 1,101 | Leaf emergence | Bloom start | 353 |
| Tacoma / Puyallup | 1,075 | Leaf emergence | Bloom start | 379 |
| Sequim / Rain Shadow | 1,070 | Leaf emergence | Bloom start | 384 |
| Stage | GDD32 | Typical Window |
|---|---|---|
| ○ Bloom start BBCH 61 NEXT | 1454 | Mar 15-May 15 est. Apr 20 (avg) |
| Full bloom BBCH 65 | 1702 | — est. May 3 (avg) |
| Fall color / leaf senescence BBCH 93 | 606 | Oct 1-Nov 15 |
| Bud break BBCH 07 | 810 | Feb 15-Mar 15 |
| ● Leaf emergence BBCH 11 NOW | 1016 | Mar 1-Apr 1 |
| Bloom end / petal fall BBCH 69 | — | Apr 15-May 31 |
| Fruit/seed development BBCH 71 | — | Jun 1-Aug 31 |
| Dormancy BBCH 97 | — | Nov 15-Feb 28 |
GDD = Growing Degree Days (base 32°F, Jan 1 start). Why base 32? Sources: Herms 2004 (OSU) and UMD IPMnet GDD₅₀ converted to GDD₃₂ via Kent bloom-date mapping; NPN citizen science observations (WA+OR) reported directly in GDD₃₂. Season tracker for Kent / Auburn as of Apr 3, 2026. Predicted dates use 16-day weather forecast through Apr 19, 2026, then climate normals.