Cornus alternifolia - Pagoda Dogwood

Cornus alternifolia, also known as alternate-leaved dogwood, forms a bush with naturally interesting habit, with its layered and horizontal branches and its flattened crown which give it an attractive texture in the garden. It bears abundant and well-furnished foliage, of a rather dark green colour with a shiny finish, which sometimes takes on beautiful autumn colours depending on the soil. Its discreet spring flowering is fragrant, and the pretty blue-black berries that follow it delight birds until late in the season. This deciduous bush has its rightful place in a garden that makes room for nature, but also in slightly wooded areas. In France, its cultivation is reserved for cool climates that suit it particularly well.

Cornus alternifolia belongs to the Cornaceae family. It is native to the eastern United States and Canada, from western Newfoundland to southern Manitoba and Minnesota, and from the south to the north of Florida and Mississippi. It can be found growing under deciduous trees, as well as on the edge of forests and near swamps, under harsh and contrasting climates that are proof of its robustness. It is hardy to around -30°C (-22 °F). This large bush or small tree with a short trunk can easily reach 5m (16ft 5in) in all directions under favourable conditions. Its growth is quite slow. With few branches, it develops a layered branching that gives it a 'pagoda' appearance. It also produces horizontal branches at its top, with ends that seem turned up. The bark and branches are green to purplish in colour. The deciduous foliage is composed of large, entire leaves arranged alternately, clearly veined and undulate, measuring about 10cm (3.9in) in length. Its flowering is not its main asset, rather discreet, in the form of small white-cream star-shaped flowers arranged in 10 to 15cm (3.9 to 5.9in) diameter clusters. But they are fragrant and honey-producing, highly sought after by pollinating insects. It is followed by fruiting with blue-black berries on red stems, containing oily seeds. These fruits take on a purplish hue when ripe and are highly appreciated by songbirds.

Whatever the size and style of the garden, there will always be a dogwood to provide a beautiful decoration. The alternate-leaved dogwood is not spectacular, but it displays a truly architectural habit that deserves to be isolated from other shrubs. It will compose beautiful autumn beds, in a mixed hedge with witch hazels or Japanese maples in acidic soil, or on the edge of woodland in the company of Hydrangea quercifolia or winged Euonymus in more neutral soil. All these shrubs are perfect for creating a transition with the countryside. Its association with Helianthus, Heliopsis or daylilies will create a very colourful scene. As it is a shrub that thrives by the water's edge, it can be planted, along with Cornus stolonifera 'Faviramea' with yellow bark, behind a foreground of Astilbes, not far from a pond.