Red-osier dogwood for birds in Alaska
White fruit and red winter stems; good thicket cover. Native to Alaska, where it feeds or shelters 12 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Cornus sericea
- Native status
- Native in Alaska
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 1a–8a
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries
- Alaska birds supported
- 12
- Nesting birds among them
- 12
Growing conditions in Alaska
Subarctic interior, temperate rainforest in the Southeast panhandle, and Arctic tundra on the North Slope.
A short, explosive summer with near-continuous daylight compresses nesting into a few weeks.
Alaska birds that use Red-osier dogwood
Year-round residents (2)
Summer breeders (10)
American Robin, Northern Flicker, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Mountain Bluebird, Fox Sparrow, Varied Thrush, Hermit Thrush, Palm Warbler, Bohemian Waxwing
Nesting season it supports in Alaska
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Red-osier dogwood:
- American Robin — May–July
- Northern Flicker — May–June
- Cedar Waxwing — July–August
- Yellow-rumped Warbler — June–July
- Canada Jay — April
- Mountain Bluebird — June–July
- Fox Sparrow — June–July
- Varied Thrush — June–July
- Hermit Thrush — June–July
- Pine Grosbeak — June–July
Native plants to pair with Red-osier dogwood in Alaska
Spring flowers for Rufous Hummingbirds, early fruit for thrushes.
Frequently asked
Is Red-osier dogwood native to Alaska?
Yes. Red-osier dogwood (Cornus sericea) is recorded as native in Alaska. Alaska spans USDA 1a–8a.
What birds does Red-osier dogwood attract in Alaska?
In Alaska, Red-osier dogwood supports 12 backyard birds, including American Robin, Northern Flicker, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Canada Jay, Mountain Bluebird.
Does Red-osier dogwood help nesting birds in Alaska?
12 of those birds nest in Alaska: American Robin (May–July), Northern Flicker (May–June), Cedar Waxwing (July–August), Yellow-rumped Warbler (June–July).
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Alaska
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- Audubon Native Plants Database
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.