Cornus alternifolia
$399.99
Cornus alternifolia forms a broad, tiered large shrub with alternate leaves, fragrant cream-white flower clusters, and burgundy-red fall color.
- Description
- Additional information
Description
Cornus alternifolia is a broad large shrub or small tree whose horizontal branches form distinctive pagoda-like tiers. Alternate dark green leaves frame lightly fragrant cream-white cymes in May and June, then turn burgundy-red in fall.
Plant it in acidic, rich loam with consistent moisture and good drainage. Full sun is possible, but partial or afternoon shade and a cool mulched root zone are valuable in hot climates. Its blue-black drupes feed birds and other wildlife but are bitter, sour, and not edible to humans. Protect the shallow roots, and remove golden-canker branches while the plant is dormant.
Additional information
| Height | 15 ft – 25 ft |
|---|---|
| Spread | 20 ft – 32 ft |
| Flowering months | May, June |
| Synonyms | Bothrocaryum alternifolium, Cornus alterna, Swida alternifolia |
| Family | Cornaceae |
| Hazardous | unknown |
| Variegated | unknown |
| Color flower spring | White, Cream |
| Color flower summer | White, Cream |
| Aspect | East, South, West, North |
| Foliage | Deciduous |
| Habit | Bushy |
| Moisture | Moist but Well Drained |
| Ph | Acid |
| Position | Full sun, Partial shade |
| Scent | Fragrant Light |
| Shape | Horizontal, Spreading |
| Suggest planting location | Pollinator Garden, Woodland Garden, Shade Garden, Four-Season Garden, Wildlife friendly gardens |
| Type | Shrub |
| Use for | Bird-Friendly, Shade Garden, Pollinator-Friendly |
| Years to max height | 10 |
| Drought resistance | no |
| Soil | Loam |
| Local names | Pagoda Dogwood, Alternate-leaf Dogwood, Green Osier |
| Usps | Horizontal branches form distinctive pagoda-like tiers., Fragrant cream-white cymes appear after the leaves in May and June., Grow in full sun or partial shade with moist, well-drained soil. |
| Propagation | Propagate by seed or stem cuttings. |
| Pests | Calico scale, dogwood borer, dogwood sawfly, and leafhoppers may occur. |
| Diseases | Golden canker, anthracnose, and leaf spot may occur. |
| Pruning | Remove golden-canker branches while dormant, cutting above a healthy bud. |
| Watering instructions | Keep the root zone consistently moist but well drained. |
| Sunlight instructions | Grow in full sun or partial shade; give afternoon shade in hot climates. |
| Common Name | Pagoda Dogwood |