Cornus sericea

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.'

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