Alternateleaf Dogwood, Alternate-leaf Dogwood, Pagoda Dogwood, Swida alternifolia
A spectacular specimen tree in the landscape, Cornus alternifolia (Pagoda Dogwood) is a small deciduous tree or large, multi-stemmed shrub with beautifully layered horizontal branches. The young stems are deep purplish brown and bear alternate, ovate, dark green leaves up to 5 in. long (12 cm). The foliage may turn reddish-purple in the fall. In late spring to early summer, small, fragrant, creamy-white flowers appear in flattened clusters, providing a great floral show. The blossoms give way to blue-black berries in late summer, which persist into fall unless devoured by hungry grouse, pheasants, wild turkeys, and squirrels. Their rich coral fruit stalks persist after the berries are gone and are quite ornamental. Perfect for moist, acid, well-drained soils, Pagoda Dogwood performs best in cool summer climates, where it makes a wonderful focal point in the landscape.
| Hardiness |
4 - 8 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
1 - 8 |
| Plant Type | Shrubs, Trees |
| Plant Family | Cornaceae |
| Genus | Cornus |
| Common names | Pagoda Dogwood, Dogwood |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early, Mid, Late) Fall |
| Height |
15' - 25' (4.6m - 7.6m) |
| Spread |
20' - 30' (6.1m - 9.1m) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Fragrant, Showy, Fruit & Berries |
| Native Plants | United States, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Maine, Delaware, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Southeast, Midwest, Northeast, Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Michigan, Minnesota, Alabama, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Mississippi, Kentucky, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia |
| Tolerance | Deer |
| Attracts | Birds, Butterflies |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Rain Gardens |
| Garden Styles | Traditional Garden, Informal and Cottage |
| Hardiness |
4 - 8 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
1 - 8 |
| Plant Type | Shrubs, Trees |
| Plant Family | Cornaceae |
| Genus | Cornus |
| Common names | Pagoda Dogwood, Dogwood |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early, Mid, Late) Fall |
| Height |
15' - 25' (4.6m - 7.6m) |
| Spread |
20' - 30' (6.1m - 9.1m) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Fragrant, Showy, Fruit & Berries |
| Native Plants | United States, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Maine, Delaware, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Southeast, Midwest, Northeast, Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Michigan, Minnesota, Alabama, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Mississippi, Kentucky, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia |
| Tolerance | Deer |
| Attracts | Birds, Butterflies |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Rain Gardens |
| Garden Styles | Traditional Garden, Informal and Cottage |
How many Cornus alternifolia (Pagoda Dogwood) do I need for my garden?
| Plant | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|
| Cornus alternifolia (Pagoda Dogwood) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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