Native Plants

Red Twig Dogwood

Cornus sericea

Red twig dogwood is a spreading native shrub valued for the red color of its young winter stems. Spring flowers give way to pale fruit used by birds. An individual shrub generally reaches about 6–10 feet tall and 7–10 feet wide, sometimes taller; over time, stems can form a colony beyond that footprint. Give it room beside a moist garden edge or in a broad planting where spreading is welcome. It grows in full sun to partial shade and prefers consistently moist soil, including sites with seasonal flooding. Removing some older stems in early spring encourages the colorful new growth that carries its winter display.

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Photo gallery3 photos

At a glance

Mature height: About 6–10 feet, sometimes taller
Mature spread: About 7–10 feet per shrub; colonies spread farther
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Hardiness: Generally hardy in Southwest Washington

The right plant, the right place

Make room for something good.

Plant red twig dogwood where a broad, moist planting can accommodate its spreading stems. Its winter color and fruit used by birds add seasonal interest.

Where to plant

Allow about 7–10 feet for an individual shrub and more room if you welcome a colony. Full sun to partial shade suits the species.

Through the seasons

Spring flowers are followed by pale fruit used by birds. Young red stems provide the strongest color after the leaves fall.

Southwest Washington gardens

Give it a good start.

Native to Washington and Oregon, red twig dogwood suits moist sites in Southwest Washington. It can form thickets where conditions favor its spreading habit.

Soil, drainage & water

Keep the soil consistently moist where possible. Red twig dogwood tolerates wet ground, including seasonal flooding.

A little care goes a long way

Growing well, season after season.

Remove some older stems in early spring to encourage new stems with stronger red color. Root pruning can help limit a colony where its spread needs managing.

Know what to look for

Common growing concerns.

Symptoms can have more than one cause. These notes are a starting point for observing your plant and improving its growing conditions.

Dogwood powdery mildew

White growth on leaves may appear with patchy yellowing or distorted new growth.

Help your plant thrive

Allow air circulation, avoid wetting foliage during irrigation, and remove affected tissue and fallen leaves.

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