Cornus sericea
Red-osier dogwood is a common shrub throughout Michigan. It is especially abundant in wet meadows, marshes, and swamps, but it does well if planted in an upland habitat. The stems are green in the summer and red in the winter.
| Growth Rate | Fast |
| Mature Size | 5-7 ft tall |
| Soil | Wet loam, sand muck or sedge peat |
| Light | Full sun to shade |
| Leaves | Opposite, simple leaves 2-4 inches long; dark green above and hairy, lighter colored below |
| Flower & Fruit | White to cream-colored flowers bloom from June to August; White berries attractive and smooth berries |
| Benefits |
Often planted as an ornamental used as field windbreaks, riparian plantings and highway beautification. Provides dense cover and feed for many wildlife species. The fleshy fruits, twigs and foliage are very valuable to wildlife such as robins, cedar waxwings, rabbits and deer. Popular among Native Americans with stems used to create dreamcatchers, bow and arrows, peeled twigs as toothbrushes and inner bark for tanning or drying animal hides; infusion of bark used for anti-diarrheal, poison ivy and an antidote for weak kidneys. With many other uses among a vast range of tribes. |