WashingtonGardener: Pagoda Dogwood Plant Profile

Wednesday, July 30, 2025

Pagoda Dogwood Plant Profile

Pagoda Dogwood (Cornus alternifolia) is an understory tree that is native to central and Eastern North America. The branches are held parallel to the ground and have an architectural tiered look that give it its common name.

It has four-season interest with small white flowers in spring that turn into dark berries in the summer. The foliage is solid green and turns burgundy in fall. There are also variegated cultivars such as ‘Golden Shadows’ and ‘Argentea’.

The berries are loved by birds and small mammals. It is a host plant for the Spring and Summer Azure butterflies.

It is up to 25 feet tall and 30 feet wide at maturity.

It is hardy to USDA zone 3-7

Pagoda Dogwood grows best in part sun to part shade and planted in moist, but well-draining soils.

This is a low-maintenance plant that does not require fertilizing or pruning. You can mulch lightly around its root zone with leaf compost annually.

You can propagate it by rooting stem cuttings or by sowing its seeds. Note that it can seed itself around naturally, so cull any saplings, if you do not want a small colony to form.

Pagoda Dogwood: You Can Grow That!

The video was produced by Washington Gardener Magazine.

Audio, Video, and Text by Kathy Jentz

Editing by Colin Davan

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