Cornus alternifoliaIndiana Native
Pagoda Dogwood
Other Common Names: Alternate Leaved Dogwood

Cornus alternifolia - Overall Tree Habit

Family:

Cornaceae (Dogwood Family) 40

Genus:

Cornus (Dogwood) 40

Plant Type:

Tree 569

Growth Forms:

Upright 572

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 3 231

Deciduous / Evergreen:

Deciduous 838

Flower Notes:

White (Yellow-white, malodorously fragrant, interesting but not overly showy flowers in 1.5-2.5" dia. flat-topped cymes in spring)

Foliage Notes:

Green (Summer); Red-Violet (Dull reddish-purple fall foliage)

Stem Notes:

greenish to reddish or brown to purple, slender, shiny, glabrous

Fruit Notes:

Black (Handsome bloomy bluish-black fruit (starting out green) with pinkish fruit stalks in late summer; fruits do not persist long)

Ultimate Height:

15-25 feet

Ultimate Spread:

20-35 feet

Bloom Times:

Fruiting Times:

Light Requirements:

Soil Water Requirements:

Medium 196

Soil Notes:

Prefers moist, cool, acidic soil

Range:

Eastern North America

Maintenance:

Low 265

Diagnostic Characteristics:

Leaves are alternate (unlike most dogwoods) and crowded near ends of twigs appearing as if whorled, 2-5" long, dark green above and whitish below. Note dogwood veination wherein veins approach margin, sweep apically, and never seem to touch margins. Shiny greenish to reddish to dark purplish-brown stems.

Ecological Functions:

Special Characteristics:

Additional Information

Broad-spreading, low branched, forming stratified tiers, very interesting branching habit. Leaf spot and twig blight/canker can be problem for older trees.

Plant Photo Gallery

Overall Tree Habit

Developing flowers and Spring leaves

Leaf

Mature Fruit

Buds

Bark

When Cornus alternifolia has been observed flowering or fruiting at Purdue University

Flowering

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec

Fruiting

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec

32 Cornus alternifolia found

Building Map...

= Heritage plant = Memorial plant

Number	Accession ID	Location
1	2018_00473*A	PGG
2	ORIG_2997*A	HIKS
3	ORIG_3008*A	HIKS
4	ORIG_3006*A	HIKS
5	2018_00474*A	PGG
6	2018_00475*A	PGG
7	2009_10316*A	HIKS
8	ORIG_3007*A	HIKS
9	2023_00139*A	HORTPARK
10	2023_00191*A	HORTPARK
11	2023_00190*A	HORTPARK
12	2024_00061*A	HORTPARK
13	2024_00061*B	HORTPARK
14	2024_00075*A	HORTPARK
15	2024_00075*B	HORTPARK
16	2024_00075*C	HORTPARK
17	2024_00075*D	HORTPARK
18	2024_00075*E	HORTPARK
19	2024_00075*F	HORTPARK
20	2024_00075*G	HORTPARK
21	2024_00075*H	HORTPARK
22	2024_00075*I	HORTPARK
23	2024_00075*J	HORTPARK
24	2024_00075*K	HORTPARK
25	2024_00075*L	HORTPARK
26	2024_00075*M	HORTPARK
27	2024_00075*N	HORTPARK
28	2024_00075*O	HORTPARK
29	2024_00075*P	HORTPARK
30	2024_00075*Q	HORTPARK
31	2024_00075*R	HORTPARK
32	2024_00075*S	HORTPARK