Cornus sericea 'Flaviramea'

A cultivar of native Red Osier Dogwood selected for its vivid gold-yellow stems, which are most intense on young wood. The stems hold their color from leaf drop through early spring, when emerging foliage takes over. White flower clusters appear in late spring and attract pollinators; white berries follow in late summer and are consumed by birds. Foliage turns reddish-purple in fall before dropping.

Received April 4, 2026 from Planting Partners (Etsy).

Care

Extremely adaptable — tolerates boggy soils, clay, and periodic flooding. Full sun produces the most vivid stem color; shade is tolerated but reduces intensity. Coppice hard every one to two years in early spring (cut to 6–12 inches) to encourage the young growth responsible for the best yellow color. Older wood goes gray and dull. Division is easy and reliable.

Direct in-ground planting in a moist area is the ideal long-term siting. Good at pond edges, rain gardens, and low-lying spots where other shrubs fail.

Garden Notes