Yellow Twig Dogwood (Cornus sericea 'Midwinter Fire')

As fall progresses into winter, a bright spot of color in the Arboretum’s Wildflower Garden is a Yellow Twig Dogwood. This is a cultivar of Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea, also known as Cornus stolonifera), a northern species that is not native to Tennessee. While Red Osier Dogwood is noted for its bright red to dark red stems and vegetative reproduction from stolons, several cultivars have been developed that have different colored stems. Our specimen is ‘Midwinter Fire,’ which is characterized by stems with a combination of yellow, red, and orange colors. Its leaves are similar to our Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida), but the small flowers are borne in flat-topped cymes. The colorful stems, apparent during the winter months, make this a desirable plant for landscaping. Cutting the stems back each year promotes the continued development of the brightly colored stems. Additional information about Red Osier dogwood cultivars can be found on the UT Gardens website.

Return to Shrubs and Vines List