Plant Profile

Cornus alternifolia (Pagoda Dogwood, Alternate-leaved Dogwood)

Pagoda dogwood is a deciduous tree that branches out horizontally. It has green leaves which grow mostly at the ends of branches, which turn red and orange in fall. It has very showy cream-colored flowers which grow in clusters. The flowers are followed by dark blue fruits.

Pagoda dogwood grows in full sun to deep shade in moist, acidic soil.

Landscape Information
Botanical Description
Horticulture Management

By Photo by and (c)2007 Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man) (Self-photographed) [GFDL 1.2 (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/fdl-1.2.html) or CC BY-SA 2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
By Jaknouse (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or FAL], via Wikimedia Commons
By Cody Hough (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons
By Photo by and (c)2007 Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man) (Self-photographed) [GFDL 1.2 (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/fdl-1.2.html)], via Wikimedia Commons
By Photo by and (c)2007 Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man) (Self-photographed) [GFDL 1.2 (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/fdl-1.2.html) or CC-BY-SA-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
By Dinkum (Own work) [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons

By Photo by and (c)2007 Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man) (Self-photographed) [GFDL 1.2 (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/fdl-1.2.html) or CC BY-SA 2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

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French Name: Cornouiller alterniflore

Pronunciation: KOR-nus al-ter-nih-FOLE-ee-uh
Plant type: Tree
Origin: Eastern North America
Heat Zones: 1 to 8

Hardiness Zones: 4 to 8
Uses: Screen, Specimen, Border Plant, Container, Shade, Wildlife
Size/Shape

Growth Rate: Moderate

Tree Shape: Round, oval

Canopy Symmetry: Irregular

Canopy Density: Medium

Canopy Texture: Medium

Height at Maturity: 1.5 to 3 m

Spread at Maturity: 1.5 to 3 meters

Time to Ultimate Height: 10 to 20 Years
Notes
The cultivar Argentea has green and white variegated leaves and has received the Award of Garden Merit.

By Photo by and (c)2007 Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man) (Self-photographed) [GFDL 1.2 (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/fdl-1.2.html) or CC BY-SA 2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
By Jaknouse (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or FAL], via Wikimedia Commons
By Cody Hough (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons
By Photo by and (c)2007 Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man) (Self-photographed) [GFDL 1.2 (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/fdl-1.2.html)], via Wikimedia Commons
By Photo by and (c)2007 Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man) (Self-photographed) [GFDL 1.2 (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/fdl-1.2.html) or CC-BY-SA-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
By Dinkum (Own work) [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons

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Foliage

Leaf Arrangement : Opposite

Leaf Venation: Pinnate

Leaf Persistance: Deciduous

Leaf Type: Simple

Leaf Blade: Less than 5

Leaf Shape: Ovate

Leaf Margins: Entire

Leaf Texture: Glossy, Medium

Color(growing season): Green

Color(changing season): Red
Flower

Flower Showiness: Yes

Flower Size Range: 0 - 1.5

Flower Type: Cyme

Flower Scent: No Fragance

Flower Color: White

Seasons: Spring
Trunk

Trunk has Crownshaft: No

Trunk Susceptibility to Breakage: Generally resists breakage

Number of Trunks: Multi-Trunked, Can be trained to one trunk

Trunk esthetic Values: Not Showy, Smooth
Fruit

Fruit Type: Drupe

Fruit Showiness: Yes

Fruit Size Range: 0 - 1.5

Fruit Color: Blue, Black

Seasons: Spring

By Photo by and (c)2007 Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man) (Self-photographed) [GFDL 1.2 (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/fdl-1.2.html) or CC BY-SA 2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
By Jaknouse (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or FAL], via Wikimedia Commons
By Cody Hough (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons
By Photo by and (c)2007 Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man) (Self-photographed) [GFDL 1.2 (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/fdl-1.2.html)], via Wikimedia Commons
By Photo by and (c)2007 Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man) (Self-photographed) [GFDL 1.2 (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/fdl-1.2.html) or CC-BY-SA-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
By Dinkum (Own work) [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons

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Tolerance

Frost Tolerant: Yes

Heat Tolerance: No

Drought Tolerance: Yes

Salt Tolerance: Moderate
Requirements

Soil Requirements: Clay, Loam, Sand

Soil Ph Requirements: Acidic, Neutral

Water Requirements: Moderate

Light Requirements: Full, Part, Shade
Management

Toxicity: No

Invasive Potential: No

Susceptibility to Pests and Diseases: No

Pruning Requirements: Little needed, to develop a strong structure

Fruit/ Leaves/ Flowers litter: No

Surface Rooting: No

Life Span: 25-50 years

Diseases: Leaf Spots, Canker, Blights

Edible Parts: Fruit

Plant Propagation: Seed, Cutting, Grafting