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Pagoda Dogwood
Cornus alternifolia

native, deciduous shrub with a short trunk and nearly horizontal branches, 12-20' tall. Usually, an understory species of moist woods. Showy white flowers, berries attract wildlife. Alternate-leaf dogwood provides year-round interest with its attractive, horizontal branches. Suited for foundation plantings and naturalized areas. An excellent value for wildlife, especially birds.

USDA symbol: COAL2

General Information

Plant TypeTree
Height15 to 25 feet
Light ExposureSun, Part Sun
Soil MoistureMedium
Bloom ColorWhite, Yellow
Pagoda Dogwood (Pagoda Dogwood<div><em class="small">Cornus alternifolia</em></div>)
Photo credit: Minnesota Native Landscapes (Click to enlarge)

Tolerances

Flooding / Inundation ToleranceModerate
General Resilience4
Salt ToleranceLow

Pollinator Value: High

Bloom MonthsMay to June
Larval Host ofBees
Specific Pollinators HostedNumerous bee species
Pollinator BenefitInsect Pollinated, Provides Nectar, Supports Generalists

Project Planning

Project TypeRain Garden, Restoration, Shoreline Buffer
Coefficient of Conservatism7
Herbivore SensitivityMedium
LifespanPerennial
Rate of SpreadSlow
Soil StabilizationDeep
Vegetative ReproductionClonal

Range

CountyAitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Blue Earth, Brown, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Cook, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Fillmore, Goodhue, Hennepin, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Le Sueur, Mahnomen, Marshall, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Nicollet, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pine, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Roseau, Sibley, St. Louis, Stearns, Steele, Todd, Wabasha, Wadena, Waseca, Washington, Winona, Wright
EcoregionDriftless Area, Lake Agassiz Plain, North Central Hardwood Forests, Northern Lakes and Forests, Northern Minnesota Wetlands, Western Cornbelt Plains
Approximate Eco ProvinceEastern Broadleaf Forest, Laurentian Mixed Forest, Prairie Parkland, Tallgrass Aspen Parklands