Yukon · Shrub

Red-osier dogwood for birds in Yukon

White fruit and red winter stems; good thicket cover. Native to Yukon, where it feeds or shelters 15 backyard bird species.

Scientific name: Cornus sericea
Native status: Native in Yukon
Hardiness zones: Canada 0a–1b
What birds get from it: fruit and berries
Yukon birds supported: 15
Nesting birds among them: 15

Growing conditions in Yukon

Subarctic continental with mountains, boreal forest and Arctic tundra in the north.

Short summers with nearly 24-hour daylight.

Yukon birds that use Red-osier dogwood

Year-round residents (2)

Canada Jay, Pine Grosbeak

Summer breeders (13)

American Robin, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Flicker, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Mountain Bluebird, Fox Sparrow, Varied Thrush, Hermit Thrush, Western Tanager, Palm Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo, Bohemian Waxwing

Nesting season it supports in Yukon

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
White-throated Sparrow — June–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

Native plants to pair with Red-osier dogwood in Yukon

Pin cherry

Prunus pensylvanica · Tree

Fast-growing northern cherry with midsummer fruit.

Chokecherry

Prunus virginiana · Shrub

Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.

Highbush cranberry

Viburnum trilobum · Shrub

Red fruit persists until late winter when other food is gone.

Western serviceberry

Amelanchier alnifolia · Shrub

Saskatoon berries ripen in early summer.

Bearberry

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi · Shrub

Low evergreen with winter-persistent red fruit.

Crowberry

Empetrum nigrum · Shrub

Arctic berry that survives under snow into spring.

Frequently asked

Is Red-osier dogwood native to Yukon?

Yes. Red-osier dogwood (Cornus sericea) is recorded as native in Yukon. Yukon spans Canada 0a–1b.

What birds does Red-osier dogwood attract in Yukon?

In Yukon, Red-osier dogwood supports 15 backyard birds, including American Robin, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Flicker, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Canada Jay.

Does Red-osier dogwood help nesting birds in Yukon?

15 of those birds nest in Yukon: American Robin (May–July), White-throated Sparrow (June–July), Northern Flicker (May–June), Cedar Waxwing (July–August).

Sources

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.