Yellow Twig Dogwood Cornus sericea 'Flaviramea'

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.

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.