Cornus sericea L.

Winter colour of Cornus sericea 'Sunshine' growing as a small tree in a garden in St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, UK (January 2021). Image Owen Johnson.

'Bailadeline'

A very compact red-stemmed selection with purplish-red autumnal foliage, similar to ‘Isanti’, but tighter in habit; discovered by Terry Schwartz of Bailey Nurseries, which introduced it (Bailey Nurseries 2026).

Baileyi Group

This form of the species – or at least, the name Cornus baileyi – is well-established in the nursery trade, particularly in the Midwestern states of North America (Cappiello & Shadow 2005; Dirr 2009), having in the past been treated as a species in its own right, based on populations growing in sandy areas around the Great Lakes (Michigan, Ontario, Minnesota and Indiana) (Fosberg 1942). The epithet commemorates Liberty Hyde Bailey – eminent botanist, and coiner of the word ‘cultivar’ – who had grown up in South Haven, Michigan, and had observed plants growing on dunes there that he thought distinct from type C. stolonifera – i.e. more erect in habit, with leaves that are woolly white beneath, curling slightly at the margins to give the plant a ‘distinct grayish hue’ (Bailey 1900). This form of the plant was recognised as a pioneer species on new sand dunes, colonising the elevated dune, while type C. stolonifera (red osier) inhabited the damper hollows (Hill 1896).

Bailey, who became Professor of Horticulture at Cornell (appropriately enough), regarded the colour of the autumn foliage and winter twigs on the Michigan plants as ‘unequalled’ (Bailey 1900, 1906). As Cornus baileyi, the form was introduced commercially in the early twentieth century (not before 1900), being reasonably widely available by the beginning of the 1920s (Bailey 1900). Having done the taxonomic rounds, the epithet baileyi has now been reduced to synonymy within the species, but on ecological and cultural grounds (as an ecotype especially well adapted to sandy soil) the concept does seem to retain some residual taxonomic value, albeit for horticultural purposes it is now most appropriately treated as a Cultivar Group. Besides the affinity for sand, and the geographical provenance, the villous abaxial surface to the leaf and the fine colour are distinguishing characters.

As the dogwood spectrum has expanded significantly in recent decades, modern authors have become less fulsome about the end-of-year display than might have been the case a century ago: Cappiello and Shadow (2005) are unenthusiastic about the ‘dull brownish-red’ stems, though Hillier (2014) notes the brilliant autumn colour.

'Bud's Yellow'

A vigorous selection with bright yellow-green stems, to 1.8 m tall and 2.4 m wide; introduced by Boughen Nurseries, Saskatchewan, Canada in the late 1980s (Cappiello & Shadow 2005; Hatch 2018–2020). Often listed commercially under C. alba.

Cornus sericea 'Bud's Yellow' is at its brightest in late winter (Castle Howard Arboretum, North Yorkshire, UK, March 2023). Image John Grimshaw.

The same plants of Cornus sericea 'Bud's Yellow' a year after coppicing (Castle Howard Arboretum, North Yorkshire, UK, March 2025). Image John Grimshaw.

And again, the same plant, uncoppiced since 2024, in spring growth (Castle Howard Arboretum, North Yorkshire, UK, 4 May 2026). Image John Grimshaw.

New growth of Cornus sericea 'Bud's Yellow' (Castle Howard Arboretum, North Yorkshire, UK, 4 May 2026). Image John Grimshaw.

'Cardinal'

A selection with yellow-orange stems, which become intensely red in areas with cold winters (Cappiello & Shadow 2005). Introduced by Harold Pellett of Minnesota Landscape Arboreum, USA in 1980 (Hatch 2018–2020). The reddish pigmentation tends to intensify towards the tips of the stems, the bottom third (or even half) of each stem remaining yellow-green. The winter display varies in quality, giving rise to conflicting opinions: Ballyrobert Gardens (2026) value the cultivar highly for its performance in low winter sun, but a planting at the Yorkshire Arboretum has produced colours that are muted, even drab; cultural or environmental factors may account for the difference.

Cornus sericea 'Cardinal' at the Yorkshire Arboretum, 1 January 2022. This clump was cut to the ground in April 2020, so has had two growing seasons to reach c. 150–180 cm in height. Image John Grimshaw.

The same clump of Cornus sericea 'Cardinal' in December 2022 – an extra year's growth has produced further side branches, concentrating the winter stem colour at the tips. Image John Grimshaw.

Almost a conclave... Cornus sericea 'Cardinal' at the Yorkshire Arboretum in late February 2024, with Salix alba 'Cardinal' beyond it. The stems of the dogwood are now mainly green with colour concentrated at the tips. Image John Grimshaw.

'Cheyenne'

Deep red stems, less bright than ‘Cardinal’, and broader in stature, to 1.5 m in height (Flessner 2000; Cappiello & Shadow 2005).

'Coral Red'

A red-stemmed selection with good autumn foliage colour in shades of bright crimson through orange; height 2.5 m after 10 years (Esveld 2026). Offered in the Netherlands by Esveld, but not widely available or documented, and in need of further evaluation.

Very little coral, and not much red either: a rather insipid display of Cornus sericea 'Coral Red' (RHS Garden Hyde Hall, March 2022). Image John Grimshaw.

'Farrow'

A dwarf selection to 1.5 m (i.e. half the size of type C. sericea), grown for the bright red winter stems. Introduced by Michael Farrow, Earleville, USA in 2001 (Hatch 2018–2020).

'Flaviramea'

Introduced by the Späth Nursery, Germany around 1899 (Hatch 2018–2020). Widely grown on both sides of the Atlantic for the vivid greenish-yellow winter stems, initially green before changing colour in autumn (Cappiello & Shadow 2005). Clarke (1988) noted that some plants distributed under this name are the green-stemmed ‘Nitida’.

A mass planting of Cornus sericea 'Flaviramea' at RHS Garden Hyde Hall, March 2022. Image John Grimshaw.

As with all dogwoods grown for winter stem effect Cornus sericea 'Flaviramea' needs to be planted where it will be illuminated by bright sunshine (Colesbourne Park, Gloucestershire, February 2011). Image John Grimshaw.

Cornus sericea 'Flaviramea' in fruit (Coventry, UK, September 2023). Image John Grimshaw.

Cornus sericea 'Flaviramea' in flower (Arboretum Cimetière Parc, Nantes, France; 7 May 2015). Image James Garnett.

'Gostmazam'

A vigorous, variegated cultivar, upright and rounded in habit, leaves green with creamy white margins and winter stems bright coral-red; the white fruits are tinted blue. Selected from a bed of Cornus sericea ‘Cardinal’ seedlings in Perry, Ohio by James Zampini in 2009 (US PP25457 P2).

'Hedgerow's Gold'

A vigorous, variegated form, the leaves yellow with a central green blaze, giving a very striking effect, but also having good yellow stems in winter so doubly useful; a martyr to leaf spot in warmer areas of the United States (Cappiello & Shadow 2005).

Cornus sericea 'Hedgerow's Gold' (Sycamore Cottage, Colesbourne, March 2012). Image John Grimshaw.

Stable variegation makes Cornus sericea 'Hedgerow's Gold' a very useful bright feature all summer. (Breezy Knees Garden, York, August 2021) Image John Grimshaw.

A very large Cornus sericea 'Hedgerow's Gold' at Breezy Knees Garden, York, UK, late July 2023. This cultivar can form much larger bushes than most dogwoods grown for their winter stems. Image John Grimshaw.

An occasional pure yellow shoot may appear on Cornus sericea 'Hedgerow's Gold' (Breezy Knees Garden, York, UK, late July 2023). Image John Grimshaw.

'Isanti'

To 1.5 m tall, with dark red winter stems, selected around 1963 at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, USA; about a third smaller in all aspects than the species (Hatch 2018–2020; Cappiello & Shadow 2005).

'Kelseyi'

A dwarf selection widely appreciated for its low mounding habit, though Cappiello and Shadow (2005) note its extreme susceptibility to leaf spot. Plants are layering in habit, and suitable for use as a rough ground cover (‘though not in a choice position’) (Bean 1976). Introduced by Kelsey Highlands Nursery, USA around 1927 (Hatch 2018–2020).

Cornus sericea 'Kelseyi' in leaf (Scott Arboretum, Swarthmore College, Pennsylvania, USA, 31 October 2025). Image John Grimshaw.

Allowed to grow unpruned, Cornus sericea 'Kelseyi' forms a low tangle. This plant is in shade and so has not developed much stem pigmentation (John Massey’s garden, Ashwood Nurseries, Kingswinford, UK, 30 January 2026). Image John Grimshaw.

'Neil Z'

Compact, with highly distinctive ‘puckered’ foliage: the relatively small leaves are thick, glossy, and deeply goffered, with sunken veins. A branch sport from an unnamed Cornus sericea plant, selected in 2003 by Neil Zureick, Cincinnati, Ohio; patent filed 2012 (US PP24812 P2). Best grown unstooled, for the foliage effect, since plants are slow-growing and take time to recover from pruning (Proven Winners 2026).

'Nitida'

Young stems entirely green, fruits white; described by Koehne from a cultivated plant in Germany, which also differed from the typical state in its larger, more glossy leaves (Koehne 1903). The form was once widely grown on both sides of the Atlantic (it is not known if this was a single clone), but more recently the interest in red- and yellow-stemmed selections seems to have elbowed out the green-stemmed form – a pity, since it fills a useful, rather unusual gap in the spectrum. In Germany, the plant was originally distributed by Dieck under the name C. glabrata (misapplied).

'Rosco'

A sport of ‘Kelseyi’, dwarf like its parent but with yellow foliage in spring; introduced around 1990 (Hatch 2018–2020).

Cornus sericea 'Rosco' (Arboretum des Étangs du Bois Guillaume, Haute-Normandie, France; 2 May 2015). Image James Garnett.

Leaves of Cornus sericea 'Rosco' (Arboretum des Étangs du Bois Guillaume, Haute-Normandie, France; 2 May 2015). Image James Garnett.

'Ruby'

A conservation-use cultivar selected for its outstanding layering ability, stem colour and rounded habit; wild-collected in 1975 from a single specimen in Painted Post, New York. The stems are bright red, the leaves ovate and dark green, and the fruit whitish. Introduced in 1988 by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA 2015).

'Silver and Gold'

A variegated sport of ‘Flaviramea’ with bright yellow stems and white-edged foliage, discovered in 1987 by Richard Lighty at the Mt. Cuba Centre, Delaware, USA; highly regarded by Cappiello and Shadow, despite its susceptibility to canker and leaf spot (Cappiello & Shadow 2005; Hatch 2018–2020).

Cornus sericea 'Silver and Gold' earning its keep in a hard landscape. Image Paul Cappiello.

'SMNCSBD'

A yellow-stemmed form, compact and vigorous with mid-green leaves and white flowers, the fruits white to yellowish green; selected by Timothy Wood from an open pollination of C. sericea ‘Flaviramea’ in Grand Haven, Michigan in 2016 (US PP32351 P2; Proven Winners 2026).

'Sunshine'

A vigorous selection, to 3 m tall, leaves golden yellow to chartreuse; introduced in 1941 by the University of Washington Arboretum. Leaves may burn on open sites; plants grown in warmer areas can be susceptible to leaf spot (Cappiello & Shadow 2005).

Cornus sericea 'Rosco' (Arboretum des Étangs du Bois Guillaume, Haute-Normandie, France; 2 May 2015). Image James Garnett.

Golden foliage of Cornus sericea 'Sunshine' (Arboretum des Étangs du Bois Guillaume, Haute-Normandie, France; 2 May 2015). Image James Garnett.

Cornus sericea 'Sunshine' (Heronswood Garden, Washington, June 2023). Image John Grimshaw.

Winter colour of Cornus sericea 'Sunshine' growing as a small tree in a garden in St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, UK (January 2021). Image Owen Johnson.

'White Gold'

A selection with chartreuse stems, discovered in western Canada around 1982; the foliage is green with golden-cream variegation (Cappiello & Shadow 2005).

Cornus sericea ‘White Gold’ grown as a canopy-lifted shrub (John Massey’s garden, Ashwood Nurseries, Kingswinford, UK, 30 January 2026). Image John Grimshaw.

'Zelroc3423'

A densely branching selection that forms a compact mound well suited to smaller spaces. From a seedling selected by David Zlesak from seed of open-pollinated origin in River Falls, Wisconsin; introduced by Greenleaf Nursery in 2023 (US PP36648 P2).