An excellent landscape shrub, Pagoda Dogwood is a deciduous shrub or small understory tree. It prefers partial sun, a moist well-drained site, and a rich soil that is somewhat acidic. Fragrant white flower clusters in spring are followed by …
A beautiful landscape shrub, Pagoda Dogwood (Cornus alternifolia) grows naturally along woodland edges as a small understory tree. It prefers partial sun, a moist well-drained site, and a rich soil that is somewhat acidic. Fragrant white flower clusters in spring are followed by dark blue berries on red stems in mid to late summer. The leaves turn a soft maroon color in the fall. Pagoda Dogwood is a wildlife favorite and supports an array of pollinators in the spring, while the berries are very popular with birds. It is a host plant for the Spring and Summer Azure butterflies.
Named for its decidedly horizontal tiered branches, it is also called Alternate Leaf Dogwood, as it is the only Dogwood with alternate rather than opposite leaves.
Botanical Synonyms
Swida alternifolia
Planting and Cultivation Notes
Pagoda Dogwood has "perfect flowers" with individual flowers containing both male and female structures. One plant will produce ample fruit.
Native plants can be grown outside of their native range in the appropriate growing conditions. This map shows the native range, as well as the introduced range, of this species.
Plant Shipping Rates: Plant orders of $50.00 and under, add $9.95 shipping charge. Plant orders over $50.00, add 18% of the total plant cost.
We ship plants in the spring, and in the fall, during our plant-shipping periods. Fall plant-shipping begins on September 11, 2023, and the last day to order plants for fall shipment is October 1, 2023.
During checkout, you will choose a Shipping Week for your plant delivery, from the dates that are available. The week that you choose will be included in your order confirmation email. When your plants have shipped you will receive another email that includes tracking information.
The growth rate will depend upon the amount of sunlight it receives. Ideal light conditions are sun during the first half of the day, and shade during the hottest part of the day. In partial sunlight conditions you can expect 2 feet (24") per year.
What size is this shrub when shipped?
Our potted shrubs are between 1' and 2' high when shipped. The root is well developed and the plants have established branching. This shrub is in a one gallon (or #1) container, which is approximately 7" deep x 6.5" wide at the top.
Should this shrub be planted in spring or fall?
This shrub can be successfully planted in either spring or fall. See Tips for Planting in Fall for more informtation about planting perennials (including shrubs) in the fall. Information on How to Plant Shrubs is also available in our Resource & Guides pages.
Is this shrub deer resistant?
This shrub is not deer resistant.
If you live in an area where deer are present, we recommend protecting any newly installed shrubs by surrounding them with a wire fencing cage, or a plastic netting to protect them from being browsed by deer and/or rabbits. Food sources can be scarce in the winter, and young shrubs are choice when when there are no tender perennials available. If you live in an urban area where there are no deer, you may have rabbits in your yard. Rabbits also browse young, newly planted shrubs when other plants are not available.
These shrubs are deer resistant: New Jersey Tea,Sweet Fern,Shrubby St. John's Wort,Carolina Rose,Purple Flowering Raspberry.
How long before it starts to flower?
Good question. It's hard to predict, because it depends on a few things. The location – the soil fertility, and the amount of sun both have an influence on the growth rate – and also the establishment of the root. The shrub will produce flowers once it is has become well established and is growing strong. This could be as much as 2 or 3 years. The shrubs that we ship are around 2' high. In partial sunlight conditions you an expect growth of 24" (2 ft) per year. This shrub will grow best in loose fertile soil, with consistent soil moisture and some sun during the day. As a woodland understory shrub the optimal conditions will include leaf mulch to help build the right soil environment.
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