pagoda dogwood
Cornus alternifolia
USDA zones3 to 8
SunHandles full sun to full shade
WaterHandles moderate to wet soil
Size15 to 25 feet tall20 to 32 feet wide
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Habit
- Shrub
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer, autumn
- Bloom color
- Yellowish-white
- Foliage color
- Dark green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay
- Soil pH
- Acid, neutral
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Pagoda dogwood (Cornus alternifolia) is a tree for specimen planting, borders, and winter interest. It is hardy to USDA zone 3, or down to -40°F (-40°C). This plant likes full sun to full shade and average to wet, sandy, loamy, or clay soil. Its branches grow in flat, horizontal layers, and the fragrant flowers turn into reddish-purple berries that feed birds. It is not a favorite of deer, though hungry deer will eat almost anything. Wind and ice can damage the branches.
Pairs well with Spicebush, Christmas fern, Culver’s root, and Cheerfulness daffodil.
Native range
Eastern North America.