Yellow Twig Dogwood

Yellow Twig Dogwood is a deciduous flowering shrub best known for its bright yellow-green stems, which bring strong color to the winter landscape after the leaves fall. Flat clusters of small white flowers appear in late spring or early summer, followed by pale berries that attract birds and other wildlife.

Its green summer foliage may develop shades of yellow, orange, or red in fall, giving the shrub several seasons of interest. Once the leaves drop, the colorful branches become the main attraction. The brightest yellow stem color usually develops on younger growth, while older branches may gradually become duller.

Yellow Twig Dogwood works especially well in rain gardens, naturalized areas, moist borders, wildlife gardens, mass plantings, and mixed shrub beds. It can also help stabilize damp slopes or other areas where erosion is a concern. Planting it near dark evergreens or red-stemmed dogwoods can create an especially colorful winter display.

Plant Yellow Twig Dogwood in full sun to part shade. More sunlight generally encourages brighter stem color, although the shrub can tolerate some shade. It prefers consistently moist soil and performs better in damp locations than many common landscape shrubs. Water regularly during its first growing season and during extended periods of hot, dry weather.

Its flowers and berries add wildlife value throughout the growing season. Our guide to flowering plants and shrubs that attract pollinators includes additional choices that can support bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other beneficial wildlife.

To encourage fresh, brightly colored stems, remove some of the oldest branches in late winter or early spring. Cut those older stems close to the ground while leaving healthy younger growth in place. This renewal pruning stimulates vigorous new branches without cutting the entire shrub back at once.

The North Carolina Extension Yellow Twig Dogwood profile provides additional information about its yellow winter stems, flowers, berries, preferred moisture, and landscape uses.

With moist soil, adequate growing space, and occasional renewal pruning, Yellow Twig Dogwood can provide flowers, berries, fall foliage, wildlife value, and striking winter color.