Cornus alternifolia - Alternate-leaved Dogwood
A beautiful, woody plant. Attracts many bird species and pollinating insects. Most dogwood species have opposite leaves while this specific species has alternate, hence it’s common name. This species is also known as the pagoda dogwood.
Height : 15-25 feet 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
Key Pollinators : Mining bees, small sweat bees, metallic green sweat bees & (cornus specialist) mining bee species
Pollinator Food Source: Nectar
Larval Host Plant : Various species