Yellow-twig dogwood is a deciduous flowering shrub in the dogwood family (Cornaceae). This rapid-growing, multi-stemmed cultivar of the red-twig dogwood that was developed around 1900. It has has greenish-yellow stems and grows upright to a mature height of 5 to 6 feet. The Latinized cultivar name means “yellow branch.” 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 factshee t on common pests and diseases. VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers," a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Cornus sericea .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
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
6-feet-12 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in. | Width: 5 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Mounding; Multi-stemmed; Rounded; Spreading
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
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.
Fall color
Orange; Red/Burgundy
Flower color
Cream/Tan; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Cyme
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
The creamy white flowers on flat-topped cyme appear in spring and are short-lived.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Blue; White
Fruit type
Drupe
Fruit value
Showy
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Clusters of bluish-tinged white berries appear in the summer to fall.
Stem color
Gold/Yellow; Green
Stem detail
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.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
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.