Cornus sericea 'Flaviramea' is a selection of the North American red-twig dogwood chosen for its greenish-yellow to gold stems, which glow most intensely in fall and winter when the dark green leaves have dropped. The cultivar name means yellow branch, and it delivers: young stems hold the best color, which means cutting it back hard in early spring is not optional maintenance but the whole point. It grows to a compact 5 to 6 feet, slightly smaller than the species, and spreads by suckering stems that can be used to propagate new plants or simply removed to manage its spread.

Spring brings clusters of creamy-white flowers followed by bluish-tinged white berries that attract birds and small mammals through late summer and fall. Foliage turns reddish-orange in autumn before falling to expose the golden framework beneath. Like the species, it tolerates clay and wet soils and its spreading root system makes it useful on banks prone to erosion. It is more susceptible to canker in hot, humid conditions than the red-stemmed parent, so good air circulation helps in warmer climates.