Pagoda Dogwood, Alternateleaf Dogwood, Alternate-Leaf Dogwood

Pagoda Dogwood, Alternateleaf Dogwood, Alternate-Leaf Dogwood Cornus alternifolia Sun to light shade; wet to medium moisture level; tolerates poor soils and clay; acidic pH. 10-25 feet height by 6-15 feet spread; blooms in late spring; creamy white flowers; fruits are reddish, purple berries. Growth Rate:  Slow initially and medium when established Maintenance:  Infrequent disease and insect problems but is sensitive to ice and wind damage.  Does suffer badly from powdery mildew in some years. Propagation:  Germination code C(60), F.  Can be difficult from both seed and from softwood cuttings. Deciduous shrub or small tree with a short trunk and a flat-topped, spreading crown of long, horizontal branches.  Graceful, tiered branching pattern suggests the shape of a pagoda, hence the common name.  Very fragrant flowers. Keeping the root zone moist, acid and cool is key to successful growth.  Birds relish the sugary fruit, and branches are quickly stripped once fruit is ripe.  Also attracts butterflies.  Cultivars are available. shrub;sun;wet;clay shrub;sun;wet;loam shrub;sun;wet;sand shrub;sun;medium;clay shrub;sun;medium;loam shrub;sun;medium;sand shrub;sun/shade;wet;clay shrub;sun/shade;wet;loam shrub;sun/shade;wet;sand shrub;sun/shade;medium;clay shrub;sun/shade;medium;loam shrub;sun/shade;medium;sand shrub;shade;wet;clay shrub;shade;wet;loam shrub;shade;wet;sand shrub;shade;medium;clay shrub;shade;medium;loam shrub;shade;medium;sand

Photo Courtesy of Wikipedia [user-laknouse] http://www.wikipedia.org/ Photo Courtesy of Prairie Moon Nursery https://www.prairiemoon.com/ Photo Courtesy of John Hilty http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/