Cornus alternifolia Argentea - Pagoda Dogwood

Cornus alternifolia 'Argentea', also known as alternate-leaved variegated dogwood, is undoubtedly a fabulous bush. With its extraordinary foliage, variegated with white and turning red in autumn, which adorns its light and majestic silhouette, layered beautifully. Its structure is composed of floating branches, arranged alternately and almost horizontally. The flowering in June is white and discreet. Winter reveals the reddish bark of its well-structured branches. It only fears drought and can tolerate ordinary, moist soil and sunny exposure.

Cornus alternifolia 'Argentea' belongs to the Cornaceae family. It is the variegated form of Cornus alternifolia, native to North America, from western Newfoundland to southern Manitoba and from Minnesota and the south to northern Florida and Mississippi. There, it is found in clear undergrowth, clearings, and the edges of moist forests. The selection 'Argentea' has an upright and spreading habit, taller than wide. It is a delicate and elegant bush, reaching a height of 3m (10ft) with a spread of 2.5m (8ft). Its growth is quite fast. The branches, covered in dark reddish bark with age, are arranged alternately on the trunk, with horizontal growth. The deciduous foliage is composed of entire, elliptical and ovate, alternate leaves, distinctly veined and undulate, measuring approximately 8cm (3.1in) in length. They are grey-green with wide white margins on the upper side, bluish underneath, and turn reddish-purple in autumn. Flowering is not its main feature, rather discreet, in the form of small white-yellowish flowers arranged in cymes, attracting bees. It is followed by fruiting in 8mm (0.3in) diameter drupes, containing oily seeds that turn blue-black when ripe.

Regardless of the size and style of the garden, there will always be a dogwood to provide a beautiful decoration. The alternate-leaved variegated dogwood will merit being planted as a standalone, where its beautiful silhouette will stand out against a darker background. It offers a renewed spectacle throughout the year, but its significant development makes it suitable for the background of large flower beds, mixed hedges, or on the edge of woodlands to create a transition with the countryside. Its association with Helianthus, Heliopsis, or daylilies will create a very colourful scene. As it is a bush that thrives near water, it can be installed with Cornus stolonifera 'Faviramea' with yellow bark and Cornus alba 'Sibirica Variegata' behind a foreground of Astilbes to create a variegated scene near a pond. In a different setting, this bush will be well highlighted in front of a modern and minimalist architecture.