Pagoda Dogwood

Tagged as: Trees and Shrubs That Attract Birds, Plants for Shady Sites, Native Trees, Large Deciduous Shrubs, Butterflies, Four Season Landscape

Botanical Name: Cornus alternifolia
Common Name: Pagoda Dogwood

Upated 3/2012

Click on an image to enlarge

form	flowers	fall color

Height: 15-25' Spread: 20-25' Habit/Form: Oval, most commonly found as multi-trunked. Unique horizontal or tiered branching Growth Rate: Medium/Fast  Zone: 3 to 7

Cultural Requirements: Will grow in full sun to part shade in moist, acidic to near neutral pH soils. Keep the shallow root system well watered and mulched. Beneficial to shelter from wind. Minor infections of golden canker need to be quickly removed when observed, being mindful to sterilize pruning tools and reduce stress.

Ornamental Characteristics: A plant for 4 seasons. Fragrant, 2" flat, white flowers bloom in late spring. Dark blue-black fruits are briefly showy on bright red stalks, but are quickly devoured by birds. Effective fall leaf color is usually a muted burgundy to wine-red.

Uses in the Landscape: An excellent specimen plant when placed in front of a vertical surface or for naturalizing. Site placement is crucial, can quickly outgrow a small space.

Butterfly Caterpillar/larval Host: Spring/Summer Azure

Nectar Source/Butterflies Attracted:Snout Butterfly

Birds Attracted: 93+ species, including flycatchers, woodpeckers, catbird, and thrashers

Plant Appeal for Birds:Fruits ripen in July-August and do not persist long.

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