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
o 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