Cornus alternifolia
A beautiful, woody plant. Attracts many bird species and pollinating insects. Root mixed with vinegar makes a brown dye. Most dogwood species have opposite leaves while this specific species has alternate, hence its common name. This species is also known as the pagoda dogwood.
Height : 15-25 feet
Alternate Leaf Dogwood
Spread : 15-25 feet
Light : Full sun to shade
Water : Medium to moist
Soil : Sand, loam, clay
Zone : 3-8
Leaves : Medium to dark green. Fall color can develop to reddish purple but not noted to be showy
Stem : Twigs greenish to reddish/purple. Smooth and shiny
Flower : Fragrant yellowish white flowers in May-June
Fruit : Clusters of berry-like fruits. Very attractive fruit changing from green to red where they ripen to a blue-black in July-August
Habit : Spreading, horizontal, low-branched tree or shrub