Alternate-leaved Dogwood Cornus alternifolia
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Bothrocaryum alternifolium
- Cornus alterna
- Cornus alternifolia var. corallina
- Phonetic Spelling
- KOR-nus al-ter-nih-FOH-lee-ah
- Description
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Maroon fall foliage; alternate leaves which is unusual for a dogwood. The branches are parallel to the ground creating a layered tiered look with upturned branches like a pagoda. It has a fibrous, spreading root system and prefers when the root zone is kept cool. Plant in moist, acidic soils, in the shade but will grow in the sun. It does not transplant well due to its shallow root system. Can be grown as a small tree or large shrub reaching heights of 30'.
Seasons of Interest:
Foliage: Fall Bloom: Spring
Insects, Diseases and Other Problems: Calico scale, dogwood borer, dogwood sawfly, Japanese maple scale, leafhoppers, oyster shell scale. Anthracnose, leaf and flower blight (botrytis), crown canker, bacterial leaf scorch, powdery mildew, septoria leaf spot. This species is more resistant to the common dogwood disease problems. It can get sunscald and it does not tolerate salt.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Collector’s Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Argentea'
- 'Argentea'
- 'Argentea'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Argentea'
- 'Argentea'
- 'Argentea'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Cornus
- Species:
- alternifolia
- Family:
- Cornaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central & E. Canada to N. Central & E. U.S.A.
- Distribution:
- Found in western North Carolina, the northeastern United States, and as far west as Minnesota
- Wildlife Value:
- Fruits are attractive to birds and plants provide nesting sites. 118 species of Lepidopteran caterpillars feed on Cornus. Members of the genus Cornus support the following specialized bees: Andrena (Gonandrena) fragilis, Andrena (Gonandrena) integra, and Andrena (Gonandrena) platyparia.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Screening
- Wildlife Cover/Habitat
- Wildlife Food Source
- Wildlife Larval Host
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- More resistant to diseases than other dogwoods. Tolerates deer and black walnut.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Horizontal
- Multi-trunked
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4b, 4a, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7b, 7a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Blue
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Description:
- Drupe on red stalks green in summer blue-purple in the fall. Displays from August to September
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Cross
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- White to cream colored flat typed cyme in 3"-4" clusters. Very fragrant blooms appear late May to early June after leave emerge. They are not as showy as other dogwoods.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Whorled
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are alternate appearing whorled on the stem. 2"-5" inches longand 1"-2 1/2" wide. Red-purple fall color. Veins appear almost parallel.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Ridges
- Bark Description:
- Gray ridged and furrowed when mature.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Purple/Lavender
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Polished
- Stem Description:
- Stems are shiny purple-brown
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Small Space
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Flowering Tree
- Foundation Planting
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Screen/Privacy
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Deer
- Problems:
- Frequent Disease Problems
