Cornus alternifolia Silver Giant - Pagoda Dogwood

Cornus alternifolia 'Silver Giant' is a variety of alternate-leaved dogwood derived from the cultivar 'Argentea', slightly more vigorous in habit and more discreet in variegation. The decorative leaves are green, with a narrow white or white-pink border. They turn red in autumn. Its branches form a distinctive structure, as they emerge from the trunk in tiers and spread out horizontally and widely. The flowers, gathered in umbels, are white and appear in late May/early June, barely visible among the speckled foliage. 'Silver Giant' thrives in fertile, humus-bearing, moist soil and prefers semi-shaded sites: in full shade, its colouration is less pronounced, while full sun can damage the colourful foliage.

Cornus alternifolia 'Silver Giant' belongs to the Cornaceae family. It is native to the eastern United States and Canada, ranging 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 at the edge of forests and near swamps, under harsh and contrasting climates that attest to its robustness.

The 'Silver Giant' cultivar has a bushy habit and tiered branches, which are well-developed from the base. It will reach approximately 3.50 m in height, with a spread of 3 m, sometimes more depending on growing conditions. Its growth is relatively vigorous. The deciduous leaves are grey-green with narrow white and pink margins on the upper side, more bluish underneath, and turn reddish-violet in autumn. The leaves are entire, distinctly veined and wavy, measuring about 8 to 10 cm in length. Its flowering is quite discreet, taking the form of small cream-white flowers arranged in 10 to 15 cm wide, fragrant and nectar-rich cymes. It is followed by blue-black berries on red stems, containing oily seeds. These fruits turn purplish when ripe and are highly loved by songbirds.

Regardless of the size and style of the garden, there will always be a dogwood to provide a beautiful decoration. The 'Silver Giant' dogwood offers a very elegant, splendid tiered stature and refined foliage, which deserves to be planted as a solitary specimen. It also forms beautiful autumn beds, mixed hedges with witch hazels or Japanese maples in acidic soil, or at the edge of woodlands in the company of Hydrangea quercifolia or burning bush in more neutral soil. All these shrubs are perfect for creating a transition with the countryside. As it is a shrub that thrives near water, it can be planted, along with Cornus stolonifera Flaviramea with yellow bark, behind a foreground of astilbes, not far from a pond.