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Cornus sericea 'Flaviramea' is often confused with:
Cornus sericea Cornus sericea red stem
Native alternative(s) for Cornus sericea 'Flaviramea':
Cornus sericea Cornus sericea red stem
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Cornus alba Cornus alba
Cornus alba 'Argenteo-marginata' Cornus alba 'Argenteo-marginata'
Cornus sericea Cornus sericea red stem

Golden Twig Dogwood Cornus sericea 'Flaviramea'

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Cornus stolonifera 'Flaviramea'
Phonetic Spelling
KOR-nus ser-REE-see-ah fla-vi-ram-ME-ah
Description

Yellow twig dogwood is a deciduous flowering shrub in the Cornaceae (dogwood) family. This rapid-growing, multi-stemmed cultivar of the red twig dogwood (Cornus sericea) has greenish-yellow stems and grows upright to a mature height of 5 to 6 feet. The genus name is Latin for the word cornu, which means horn and refers to the hardness of the wood. The species name, sericea, is Latin for silky, referring to the hairs present on the twigs and upper leaf surface.

Yellow twig dogwood may be planted in full sun or part shade. It prefers organically rich and moist well-drained soils. This plant is more vulnerable to disease in hot summer climates. The shrub is tolerant of clay soil, wet soil, and deer. Pruning may be required to maintain the plant's shape and stem color. The brightest display of stem color is found on the young stems. The plant may be reproduced by hardwood cuttings and suckers that freely spread and form thickets.

The leaves are dark green and ovate with greenish-yellow stems during the spring and summer. The foliage turns reddish orange in the fall, and the stems are golden. Clusters of creamy-white flowers appear in late spring. After the flowers are spent, bluish-tinged white berries appear. The flowers attract butterflies for pollination and nectar, and birds and small mammals are attracted to the fruits. 

Yellow twig dogwood is grown for its ornamental value, especially in fall and winter gardens. Its spreading root system makes the shrub a good choice for erosion control on slopes and banks. It may be planted as a specimen to add color to the garden. In naturalized areas, the shrub makes a beautiful display when planted in mass.

Quick ID Hints:

  • Stems are greenish yellow to bright golden
  • Leaves are dark green and turn orangish red in the fall
  • Clusters of tiny creamy-white flowers in spring
  • White bluish-tinged berries in late summer and fall

Insects, Diseases, and Other Problems: Yellow twig dogwood is generally disease and pest free. Borers, leaf miners, and scale are less serious, but they are potential insect pests. The sawfly may strip the leaves. The plant may develop cankers in hot and humid climates. Other diseases include powdery mildew, leaf spot, root rot, and leaf and twig blight.

The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common pests and diseases.

VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

 

More information on Cornus sericea.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Flaviramea White Gold'
    Variegated form
'Flaviramea White Gold'
Tags:
#deciduous#vigorous#interesting bark#specimen#white flowers#shrub#shelter for wildlife#spring flowers#winter interest#fall interest#mass planting#erosion control#specialized bees#flowering shrub#deer resistant#thickets#blue fruits#fruits fall#naturalizes#pollinator plant#yellow stems#nesting sites#wet soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#bird friendly#fruits early fall#bee friendly#shrub borders#fruits late summer#fruits late fall#fruits mid-fall#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Flaviramea White Gold'
    Variegated form
'Flaviramea White Gold'
Tags:
#deciduous#vigorous#interesting bark#specimen#white flowers#shrub#shelter for wildlife#spring flowers#winter interest#fall interest#mass planting#erosion control#specialized bees#flowering shrub#deer resistant#thickets#blue fruits#fruits fall#naturalizes#pollinator plant#yellow stems#nesting sites#wet soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#bird friendly#fruits early fall#bee friendly#shrub borders#fruits late summer#fruits late fall#fruits mid-fall#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Cornus
    Species:
    sericea
    Family:
    Cornaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    North America
    Distribution:
    The species is native to North America, excluding the lower midwest and deep south
    Wildlife Value:
    Butterflies are attracted to this plant for nectar and pollination. Fruits are attractive to birds, and the plants provide nesting sites.  Members of this genus support specialized bees. They include Andrena (Gonandrena) fragilis, Andrena (Gonandrena) integra, and Andrena (Gonandrena) platyparia.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 5 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Mounding
    Multi-stemmed
    Rounded
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Blue
    White
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Drupe
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Clusters of bluish-tinged white berries appear in the summer to fall.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Cream/Tan
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    The creamy white flowers on flat-topped cyme appear in spring and are short-lived.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Orange
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The leaves are dark green and ovate in the spring and summer months with greenish-yellow stems. The leaves measure 2 to 4 inches long. In the fall, the leaves turn reddish-orange.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    The stems are greenish-yellow in the spring and summer. The stems are bright and golden in the fall and winter months, adding interest to a winter garden.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Pond
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rain Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Hedge
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Specialized Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Erosion
    Wet Soil