Pagoda dogwood is an excellent native plant for the four-season garden. The unique horizontal branching pattern has a distinct tiered habit, often catching snow in the winter. Clusters of white flowers show up in spring, dark green foliage turns a beautiful burgundy-red in fall, and blue-black berries attract many birds. Pagoda dogwood makes an attractive small tree or large shrub in a shade garden or for naturalizing.
This species is native to the Chicago region according to Swink and Wilhelm’s Plants of the Chicago Region, with updates made according to current research.
- Family (English) Dogwood
- Family (botanic) Cornaceae
- Planting site Residential and parks, Under utility lines
- Tree or plant type Tree, Shrub
- Foliage Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)
- Native locale Chicago area, Illinois, North America
- Size range Large shrub (more than 8 feet), Compact tree (10-15 feet), Small tree (15-25 feet)
- Mature height 15-25 feet
- Mature width 20-30 feet
- Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily), Partial sun / shade (4-6 hrs light daily)
- Hardiness zones Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7
- Soil preference Acid soil, Moist, well-drained soil
- Drought tolerance Sensitive
- Other tolerances Dry sites
- Season of interest early winter, midwinter, late winter, late spring, early summer, midsummer, late summer, early fall, mid fall
- Flower color and fragrance White
- Shape or form Broad, Oval, Round, Upright
- Growth rate Moderate
- Transplants well No
- Wildlife Butterflies, Game birds, Small mammals, Songbirds, Water birds
- Has cultivars Yes
