Red-osier dogwood for birds in New Brunswick
White fruit and red winter stems; good thicket cover. Native to New Brunswick, where it feeds or shelters 22 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Cornus sericea
- Native status
- Native in New Brunswick
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 3a–5b
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries
- New Brunswick birds supported
- 22
- Nesting birds among them
- 21
Growing conditions in New Brunswick
Humid continental with Bay of Fundy and Gulf of St. Lawrence coastlines and extensive forest.
Mild summers.
New Brunswick birds that use Red-osier dogwood
Year-round residents (7)
Northern Cardinal, Purple Finch, Pileated Woodpecker, Cedar Waxwing, European Starling, Canada Jay, Pine Grosbeak
Summer breeders (14)
Eastern Bluebird, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Flicker, Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Gray Catbird, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Eastern Kingbird, Scarlet Tanager, Hermit Thrush, Gray Catbird, Palm Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo
Winter visitors (1)
Cold, snowy winters.
Nesting season it supports in New Brunswick
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
- Purple Finch — June–July
- American Robin — May–July
- White-throated Sparrow — June–July
- Northern Flicker — May–June
- Pileated Woodpecker — May–June
- Baltimore Oriole — June–July
- Rose-breasted Grosbeak — June–July
- Gray Catbird — June–July
Native plants to pair with Red-osier dogwood in New Brunswick
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 New Brunswick?
Yes. Red-osier dogwood (Cornus sericea) is recorded as native in New Brunswick. New Brunswick spans Canada 3a–5b.
What birds does Red-osier dogwood attract in New Brunswick?
In New Brunswick, Red-osier dogwood supports 22 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Purple Finch, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Flicker.
Does Red-osier dogwood help nesting birds in New Brunswick?
21 of those birds nest in New Brunswick: Northern Cardinal (May–August), Eastern Bluebird (May–August), Purple Finch (June–July), American Robin (May–July).
Which winter birds use Red-osier dogwood in New Brunswick?
Winter visitors Bohemian Waxwing use it in New Brunswick during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — New Brunswick
- Plant Hardiness Zones of Canada — Natural Resources Canada
- 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.