Species: Cornus alternifolia

Ornamental Characteristics

Size: Tree < 30 feet

Height: 15' - 25' (can be wider in spread)

Leaves: Deciduous

Shape: spreading, horizontal; usually multi-stem shrub but can be single tree

Ornamental Other: best in shade or part shade

Environmental Characteristics

Light: Part shade, Shade

Hardy To Zone: 4a

Soil Ph: Requires acid (pH 5.0 to 7.0)

Environmental Other: best in shade or part shade

Moisture Tolerance: Consistently moist, well-drained soil; Occasional periods of dry soil
See graphic below

Insect Disease

leaf spot, twig blight, canker

Bare Root Transplanting

Other

“Cornus alternifolia gets its name from being one of the few Cornus species with an alternate leaf position. These leaves are simple, ovate-elliptic, with acuminate ends and are somewhat clustered near the end of twigs. You will notice the distinctive parallel venation. The leaves have smooth margins and are 2 to 5 inches long. In summer, they are medium to dark green, sometimes turning reddish-purple in autumn. This tree’s common name, Pagoda Dogwood, gets its name from its irregularly whorled branching pattern that forms flat horizontal tiers called sympodial branching. Flowers appear in late spring, are yellowish-white, and are born in flat-topped upright clusters resulting in f that are bluish-black fruit about 1/3 of an inch in diameter on a pinky-red stalk. Cornus alternifolia requires a moist, acid, well-drained soil in and does best in part-shade. It is cold hardy to Zone 3 and not drought tolerant. This slower growing species makes an attractive specimen tree 15-25 feet tall. Several green and white variegated cultivars are available. A native of the Eastern United States, Cornus alternifolia may be found from New Brunswick to Georgia, and west to Minnesota.Transplants best as a young plant.

Native Range Map