Cornus alternifolia
pagoda dogwood, alternate-leaf dogwood
Notes:
Strong horizontal branching, as the common name implies; also sympodial.
JerseyYards.org, UConn, Missouri BG, and NCSU claim fragrant blooms, so I'm tagging it as such despite UFL, Sunset, and Stoecklein not mentioning it. Dirr/Warren even call it "sickeningly" fragrant, at least at short distances. However, Bir claims the smell is unpleasant (to him).
Prefers cool summers; provide afternoon shade in hot-summer climates (native to clearings and woods' edges). Mulch to keep roots moist and cool. Deer tolerance, clay tolerance, and sand tolerance are debated.
Sources: White Oak, Sunset, UFL, Rutgers, JerseyYards.org, UConn, Missouri BG, USDA, Bir, Dirr/Warren.
Tags:
acidic soil preferred
attracts:bees
attracts:birds (ex-humming)
attracts:butterflies
attracts:larval host
branches strong
compacted soil intolerant
drought intolerant
exposure:full sun
exposure:part shade
fall color notable
form:multi-trunked
form:shrub
form:trainable to single trunk
form:tree
fragrant flowers
habit:rounded
habit:spreading/wide
litter:minimal
native:eastern North America
open canopy
part shade preferred
persistence:deciduous
pruning not required
resprouts notably
roots:low damage potential
salt intolerant
short-lived
showy flowers
type:broadleaf
use:border
use:container
use:deck/patio
use:mass planting
use:naturalizing
use:screen
use:shade tree
use:specimen
water:regular
well-drained soil required
WON high-value plant
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