Red-osier dogwood for birds in Minnesota
White fruit and red-stemmed winter cover. Native to Minnesota, where it feeds or shelters 28 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Cornus sericea
- Native status
- Native in Minnesota
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3a–5b
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries
- Minnesota birds supported
- 28
- Nesting birds among them
- 26
Growing conditions in Minnesota
Continental, with very cold winters and warm summers; prairie in the west, boreal forest in the northeast.
A short, intense breeding season; most nesting runs May through July.
Minnesota birds that use Red-osier dogwood
Year-round residents (9)
Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Cedar Waxwing, European Starling, Canada Jay
Summer breeders (17)
Eastern Bluebird, House Wren, White-throated Sparrow, Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Eastern Towhee, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Eastern Kingbird, Scarlet Tanager, Hermit Thrush, Gray Catbird, Yellow-breasted Chat, Palm Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo, Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Winter visitors (2)
Temperatures below 0°F are routine — heated water, suet and roost boxes are survival aids, not extras.
Nesting season it supports in Minnesota
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:
- Northern Cardinal — May–August
- Eastern Bluebird — May–August
- House Wren — May–August
- House Finch — April–August
- Purple Finch — May–July
- American Robin — May–July
- White-throated Sparrow — June–July
- Northern Flicker — May–June
- Pileated Woodpecker — May–June
- Baltimore Oriole — June–July
Native plants to pair with Red-osier dogwood in Minnesota
Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.
Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.
Frequently asked
Is Red-osier dogwood native to Minnesota?
Yes. Red-osier dogwood (Cornus sericea) is recorded as native in Minnesota. Minnesota spans USDA 3a–5b.
What birds does Red-osier dogwood attract in Minnesota?
In Minnesota, Red-osier dogwood supports 28 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, House Wren, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin.
Does Red-osier dogwood help nesting birds in Minnesota?
26 of those birds nest in Minnesota: Northern Cardinal (May–August), Eastern Bluebird (May–August), House Wren (May–August), House Finch (April–August).
Which winter birds use Red-osier dogwood in Minnesota?
Winter visitors Pine Grosbeak, Bohemian Waxwing use it in Minnesota during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Minnesota
- 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.