Cornus alternifolia (Pagoda Dogwood)

Pagoda Dogwood (Cornus alternifolia)

Height, Spread: 15-25 ft, 20-32 ft

Water/Soil: Moist, well-drained, loamy, high organic matter, acidic

Light: Partial shade

Bloom: Spring-summer, white cross-shaped flower

Native Range: Eastern North America

Qualities: Attractive to pollinators, Wildlife resource, NC Native

Notes: Medium-large shrub or small tree found in moist hardwood forests primarily in the Mountain region of NC and Piedmont foothills. Unlike Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida), it has an alternate-leaf arrangement. Birds will eat its fruits and nest in its branches. Mammals such as deer, chipmunks, and rabbits will eat the fruits as well, and beavers will chew the branches when planted in a riparian area. It is a host plant to many species of Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) and supports native specialized bees, Andrena fragilis, Andrena integra, and Andrena platyparia. It is best planted in a woodland garden or as a shrub border.