Yellowtwig Dogwood

Yellowtwig Dogwood

Cornus sericea 'Flaviramea'

Cornaceae (Dogwood Family)

▲ ▼ plants in winter showing yellow stems

▲ flowers in summer

▲ twigs and leaves

Location on campus: toward southeast corner of retention basin at southwest corner of Grand and National; shrubs line concrete drainage path

Cornus sericea: Yellowtwig Dogwood

• leaves deciduous, opposite, simple, entire margined, medium to dark green above and glaucous below, 2-5" long and 1/2 as wide
• stems slender, bright yellow on new growth, prominent lenticels, pith large and white; older stems grayish brown
  • original species, Redosier Dogwood or Redtwig Dogwood has bright red stems instead of yellow
• flowers are white in flat topped cymes in late spring, but not really showy
• fruit is a white drupe
• grows 7-9' tall and equal to wider spread; develops stolons and branches from base of plant to allow it to form colonies
• prefers full sun, but shade tolerant; grows in any soil, but prefers wet soils
• fast growth rate
• prone to a twig blight or canker which can kill out stems; old stems should be removed periodically to keep younger, colorful stems dominant
• native to Missouri