Cornus sericea, Red Twig Dogwood, Pacific Northwest Native Plants, Oregon Native Shrub, Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Portland
Cornus sericea, Red Twig Dogwood, Pacific Northwest Native Plants, Oregon Native Shrub, Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Portland
Cornus sericea, Red Twig Dogwood, Pacific Northwest Native Plants, Oregon Native Shrub, Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Portland

Red Twig Dogwood

Cornus sericea

  • Size at maturity: 15' tall, 6-9' wide
  • Canopy layer: large shrub
  • Light requirements: full sun, part sun/part shade
  • Moisture requirements: moist to wet soil
  • Growth rate: very fast
  • Special features: wildlife favorite, supports hummingbirds

An extensive system of spreading roots helps the Red Twig Dogwood (also known as the Red-osier Dogwood) form large, dense thickets along moist stream banks. This deciduous shrub is easy to recognize in the winter by the bright red bark on its twigs. It has 1–3” flat, circular clusters of small white flowers from May to July. The inedible, bitter berries are appealing to birds, and range in color from dark blue to almost white with a bluish tint (Portland Plant List, 2016)

Photo Credit 1: "2010.07.04-17.08.20_IMG_8698" by andrey_zharkikh is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Photo Credit 2 & 3: Tara Lemezis

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