Cornus sericea - Red Twig Dogwood

Red Twig Dogwood is a striking, multi-stemmed shrub known for its bright red stems that provide vivid year-round interest, especially in winter when its bare branches contrast beautifully with snow. From late spring into early summer, it produces clusters of small, creamy-white flowers that attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. These are followed by white to bluish berries that offer food for birds and other wildlife.

Thriving in moist to moderately dry soils, Red Twig Dogwood is well suited for riparian plantings, shelterbelts, and erosion control. Its spreading root system helps stabilize banks and slopes, while its dense form provides excellent cover and nesting habitat for birds and small mammals. It naturally occurs in wet meadows, along streambanks, and in open woodlands, adapting well to a variety of soil conditions. Red Twig Dogwood is highly palatable to deer, young shoots and tips are often browsed, though damage is usually limited unless deer pressure is especially high.