Cornus sericea
Cornus sericea
Cornaceae · broadleaf deciduous shrub · introduced
Last updated
This profile synthesizes data from multiple published sources. Expert field review is in progress.
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 23, 2026, Puget Sound stations range from 1434.4 to 1592.7 GDD₃₂. Cornus sericea has reached bloom start (1454 GDD₃₂) and is approaching full bloom, predicted around May 1.
Regional Season Tracker
GDD₃₂ accumulation across 7 Puget Sound stations · as of Apr 23, 2026| Station | GDD₃₂ | Current Stage | Next | To Go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issaquah / East King | 1,593 | Bloom start | Full bloom | 109 |
| Seattle / UW | 1,554 | Bloom start | Full bloom | 148 |
| Kent / Auburn | 1,537 | Bloom start | Full bloom | 165 |
| Olympia / Tumwater | 1,505 | Bloom start | Full bloom | 198 |
| Bellingham / Whatcom | 1,483 | Bloom start | Full bloom | 219 |
| Tacoma / Puyallup | 1,472 | Bloom start | Full bloom | 230 |
| Sequim / Rain Shadow | 1,434 | Leaf emergence | Bloom start | 20 |
| Stage | GDD32 | Typical Window |
|---|---|---|
| Flower buds visible BBCH 55 | — | — |
| ● Bloom start BBCH 61 NOW | 1454 | Mar 15-May 15 |
| ○ Full bloom BBCH 65 NEXT | 1702 | — est. May 1 (forecast) |
| Fall color / leaf senescence BBCH 93 | 606 | Oct 1-Nov 15 |
| Bud break BBCH 07 | 810 | Feb 15-Mar 15 |
| Leaf emergence BBCH 11 | 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 23, 2026. Predicted dates use 16-day weather forecast through May 9, 2026, then climate normals.