What hardiness zones is Cornus sericea suitable for?

Cornus sericea is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

What are the sun requirements for Cornus sericea?

Cornus sericea requires Full Sun.

How much water does Cornus sericea need?

Cornus sericea has High water needs.

Cornus sericea, red twig dogwood, red osier

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Deciduous Shrubs

Cornus sericea

red twig dogwood, red osier

Cornaceae

Throughout temperate North America from British Columbia east to Newfoundland and south to northern Mexico

At a Glance

TypeShrub

HabitSpreading

FoliageDeciduous

Height6-10 feet (1.8-3 m)

Width6-10 feet (1.8-3 m)

Maturity4 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

2 - 8

Zone 2

Zone 3

Zone 4

Zone 5

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Attracts Butterflies

Native to North America

Maintenancemoderate

Overview

Cornus sericea (red-osier dogwood, red-twig dogwood) is a large, vigorously suckering native deciduous shrub reaching 6–10 feet (1.8–3 m) tall and 6–10 feet (1.8–3 m) wide, spreading widely by underground runners to form a dense colony. It is a Pacific Northwest native, growing naturally along stream banks, wetland margins, and moist slopes throughout the region. The primary ornamental feature is the vivid deep red winter stems — one of the most intense stem colors available in any hardy shrub — visible from November through March after the leaves fall. Stem color is most brilliant on young 1- and 2-year-old growth; older stems gradually turn gray-brown. Annual or biennial hard pruning (coppicing) is the essential practice for maintaining maximum stem color — without it, the shrub fills with dull old wood and loses its visual impact. In late May through June, flat-topped clusters (corymbs) 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) across of small creamy-white four-petaled flowers attract pollinators; white to bluish berries follow in late summer, valued by birds. Fall foliage is burgundy-red in full sun exposures. Formerly known as Cornus stolonifera. Great Plant Picks endorsed. Distinguished from the similar non-native Cornus alba by deeper (not coral) red stems and more vigorous, wider-spreading suckering habit.

Native Range

Native throughout the Pacific Northwest and across most of temperate North America, from British Columbia east to Newfoundland and south to northern Mexico. Grows naturally along stream banks, pond edges, wetland margins, and moist slopes from low elevations to subalpine zones.

Suggested Uses

Outstanding for winter stem color in wet, moist, or challenging landscape sites where most ornamental shrubs would struggle — stream banks, rain gardens, wetland edges, and poorly drained areas. Great Plant Picks endorsed for PNW gardens. Native plant value: supports a wide range of native wildlife — birds for berries and cover, native bees for pollen, and various insects using the plant as larval host material. Effective in mass plantings for erosion control and bank stabilization. Pairs dramatically with yellow-twig dogwood (Cornus sericea 'Flaviramea') and orange-stemmed willows for a winter stem tapestry. Allow generous space for the spreading habit — ultimately 10–15 feet or more across without regular sucker removal.

How to Identify

Identified in winter by vivid deep red stems — deeper and more saturated red than the coral-red of Cornus alba 'Elegantissima'. In summer, oval opposite leaves with characteristic dogwood parallel curved venation. Flat-topped white flower clusters (corymbs) in late May through June, followed by white to bluish berries 0.25 inch (6 mm). The strongly suckering, colony-forming habit is characteristic. Formerly sold as Cornus stolonifera — the same plant.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6' - 10'

Width/Spread6' - 10'

Reaches mature size in approximately 4 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

red

orange

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Spring

Blooms late May through June with flat-topped corymbs 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) across of small creamy-white four-petaled flowers — modest but a useful pollinator resource. White to slightly bluish berries 0.25 inch (6 mm) ripen in August through September, quickly taken by birds. The primary ornamental feature is the vivid deep red winter stems from November through March on hard-coppiced plants.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

creamy white (in flat-topped clusters)

Foliage Description

medium green in summer; burgundy-red in fall (in full sun)

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Partial Shade

Full Shade

Requires 2-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loamclaysilt

Drainage

moist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

High

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3-5 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

The most important care practice is annual hard coppicing in late winter (February through March): cut all stems to 6–12 inches (15–30 cm) from the ground. Only 1- and 2-year-old stems have vivid red color; older stems turn gray-brown and dull. Without annual coppicing, the shrub loses stem color progressively as old wood accumulates. Grow in full sun to part shade in moist to wet soil — one of the best shrubs for wet conditions, stream banks, and rain gardens. Tolerates periodic flooding, clay soil, and compacted conditions better than almost any other ornamental shrub. Spreads aggressively by underground runners; remove suckers at the perimeter annually to control spread in managed gardens. Established plants are extremely vigorous and require no fertilization.

Pruning

Hard coppice annually in late winter (February through March): cut all stems to 6–12 inches (15–30 cm) from the ground for maximum winter stem color. This is the non-negotiable maintenance practice — stems 3 years and older have lost their vivid color. If some flowering and fruiting are desired alongside stem color, remove only the oldest one-third of stems each year on a 3-year rotation — this maintains color on younger stems while allowing some bloom. Remove spreading suckers at the base throughout the growing season to control colony spread.

Pruning Schedule

early spring

Maintenance Level

moderate

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets