Close up of Pagoda Dogwood flowers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cornus alternifolia

 

 

This is an interesting but under utilized small tree, perfect for smaller landscapes.

 A native dogwood, with horizontal branching . White flowers in the spring followed in the fall by dark blue berries. Alternating light green foliage turning red in the fall.

 Height                        15’ – 25’

 Width                         1 ½ times its height

 Flowers                     1 ½” – 2 ½” creamy white clusters that last approximately

                                    7 – 10 days from May until early June

 Fruit                           ¼” berries born in July – August changing from green to red

                                    to dark blue as the fruit matures

Location                   Prefers partial shade though will perform well in full sun given enough       moisture and protection

Soil                             Likes acidic, mois,t well drained soil

 Insects                      Scale, borers (several species), leaf miner

 Diseases                   Powdery mildew, crown canker, blights, root rot

 Uses                          As specimen plant or in shrub border where horizontal

                                    lines are needed to break up vertical lines of surrounding architecture

NOTES:                     Must be planted in the spring. Young transplants have better success rates than older trees.  Fibrous spreading root system must have acidic, moist soil