Redosier Dogwood
Cornus sericea
- Native to:
- Canada, Labrador, Mexico, Prince Edward I., United States
iNaturalist: © margauxkaz (iNaturalist #32440373)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Cornaceae
- Genus:
- Cornus
- Species:
- Cornus sericea
- USDA Symbol:
- COSE16
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 300 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- white, cream
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★★★☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
- Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Reported Fauna Sightings
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, butterflies, small mammals
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- red, purple
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from root crown and rhizomes following fire. Often increases in density post-burn.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, moisture-retentive loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Prefers wetland areas and riparian zones
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Warm then cold/moist stratification (double dormancy) — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–60 days
- Notes:
- Warm stratification (60 days) followed by cold stratification (90 days) improves germination. Seeds may exhibit double dormancy.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Mix an equal amount of seeds with either perlite or vermiculite in a Ziploc-style bag or a small Rubbermaid-style container. Add a small amount of water. Cold store in a refrigerator or cold garage (33-42 degrees F) for at least 2-3 months. Seeds can be stored up to 3 years.
Establishment: Seed is collected by hand from locally native plants in the eastern central Upper Peninsula. Flowers from June to August. Seed is a white berry (drupe). Seed is harvested in September and October. The plant is typically found in marshes, swamps, wet shores, sides of rivers and streams, on rock out crops and talus slopes, coniferous and mixed thickets on shores and on sand dunes.
Source: npn.rngr.net