Return to Plant Finder

Clicking the following controls will change the main image displayed above.

photo of Tim Wood

Meet the Breeder

Tim Wood
Grand Haven, MI, USA

ARCTIC FIRE® Yellow

Red-twig dogwood

Cornus sericea

'SMNCSBD'

PP#32,351; CBR#7154

Swipe to View More
Close up of the yellow stems of Arctic Fire Yellow red-twig dogwood "} Close up of a cluster of Arctic Fire Yellow red-twig dogwood blooms Close up of a cluster of white berries on Arctic Fire Yellow red-twig dogwood YouTube video describing the plant shown on this page
  • Native
  • Winter interest
  • Shade tolerant
Description

Can a yellow twig dogwood be a red-twig dogwood? Yes! Arctic Fire® Yellow dogwood is a new selection of North American native Cornus stolonifera (syn. Cornus sericea) that offers all the durability of the species but with vivid yellow stems. In spring, little white flowers decorate the shrub and turn to white berries in late summer/early fall if pollinated. The main attraction, though, is the bright yellow stems that light up the late fall/winter landscape. Arctic Fire® Yellow is stunning on its own or interplanted with best-selling Arctic Fire® Red dogwood. Its stems make a great addition to fall and winter arrangements. 

USDA Zone
2 - 7 (-50°F/-45°C)
Exposure
Full sun, Part sun
Height
4 - 5'
Width
6'
Finish Time
1 season
Type
Deciduous
Bloom Time
Spring
Flower Color
White
Foliage Color
Green
Liner Sizes
2 1/4", 4", Quick Turn

Soil

Highly adaptable, but does best in moist, even wet soils. Tolerates dry conditions once established.

Pruning

To maintain best stem color, keep primarily to just one and two year old stems. The entire plant can be cut to stumps each spring (note that this will remove flowers), or one-third of the oldest branches can be removed at ground level each spring.

Uses

Mass plantings; cutting gardens; naturalizing; hedges; rain gardens; cutting gardens; foundation plantings.

Growing Tips

Pruning is essential for these plants to maintain their best feature: yellow stems. Determine which method to use based on your design intentions for the plant. Provide good air circulation to minimize leaf spot. One of the most shade tolerant ornament

  • Plant of the Week: Plant of the Week October 10, 2019
  • Tag: Arctic Fire® Yellow Cornus tag
  • Grower Sheet: Arctic Fire® Yellow Dogwood Professional Grower Sheet
  • Benchcard: Arctic Fire® Yellow Cornus Benchcard
  • Spec Sheet: Arctic Fire® Cornus spec sheet

    • Features: Alkaline soil, Attracts pollinators, Clay soil, Cut flower, Deer resistant, Native, Salt tolerant, Winter interest

    Filters: Botanical genus: Cornus, Common name: Red-twig dogwood, Retail program: Proven Winners® ColorChoice®, USDA Zone 2, USDA Zone 3, USDA Zone 4, USDA Zone 5, USDA Zone 6, USDA Zone 7, Exposure: Full sun, Exposure: Part sun, Bloom time: Spring, White flowers, Green foliage

    Features: Alkaline soil, Attracts pollinators, Clay soil, Cut flower, Deer resistant, Native, Salt tolerant, Winter interest

    Filters: Botanical genus: Cornus, Common name: Red-twig dogwood, Retail program: Proven Winners® ColorChoice®, USDA Zone 2, USDA Zone 3, USDA Zone 4, USDA Zone 5, USDA Zone 6, USDA Zone 7, Exposure: Full sun, Exposure: Part sun, Bloom time: Spring, White flowers, Green foliage