When does pagoda dogwood bloom?

Cornus alternifolia produces its flat topped clusters of small white flowers in May and June, typically at the ends of its distinctive horizontal branches.

What growing conditions does Cornus alternifolia prefer?

This tree does best in part shade with medium, well drained soil moisture, often found along woodland edges and in the understory beneath taller trees.

What pollinators visit pagoda dogwood flowers?

Bees, beetles, and flies are the main visitors to the flowers of Cornus alternifolia, drawn to the open flat topped flower clusters.

What does Cornus alternifolia look like as a mature tree?

It grows as a small understory tree with tiered, horizontal branching that gives it a layered or pagoda-like silhouette, usually reaching modest heights of 15 to 25 feet.

Is Alternate-leaf Dogwood toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Alternate-leaf Dogwood as toxic to livestock.

Is Alternate-leaf Dogwood HOA-friendly?

Alternate-leaf Dogwood is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

Alternate-leaf Dogwood

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Cornus alternifolia

Last reviewed: September 2026

Cornus alternifolia, or pagoda dogwood, is a small layered tree that blooms in May and June with flat clusters of white flowers, growing best in part shade and medium moisture woodland edges across the Northeast, Great Lakes, and Appalachian regions.

Toxicity unknown

Alternate-leaf Dogwood (Cornus alternifolia) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Alternate-leaf Dogwood as toxic to livestock.

Light

part shade

Water

medium

Size

120"–240" H × 120"–240" W

Bloom

May, Jun

Native to

AL, AR, CT, DE and 26 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles, flies

Deer

Resistant (per Prairie Moon Nursery)

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Alternate-leaf dogwood is a native small tree with distinctive horizontal branching that creates attractive layered tiers. It produces clusters of small white flowers in late spring, followed by dark blue berries on red stems that provide striking fall color.

Growing Alternate-leaf Dogwood

Grow Alternate-leaf Dogwood in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 120 to 240 inches tall and spread 120 to 240 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Alternate-leaf Dogwood is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.

Works well in: front yard, mid zone.

Large mature size may require pruning in smaller spaces

Wildlife value

Host plant for spring azure, white admiral.

The flowers attract bees, beetles, and flies in May and June. The berries are valuable food for birds, and the tree serves as a host plant for several native moth species.

Common questions

When does pagoda dogwood bloom?: Cornus alternifolia produces its flat topped clusters of small white flowers in May and June, typically at the ends of its distinctive horizontal branches.
What growing conditions does Cornus alternifolia prefer?: This tree does best in part shade with medium, well drained soil moisture, often found along woodland edges and in the understory beneath taller trees.
What pollinators visit pagoda dogwood flowers?: Bees, beetles, and flies are the main visitors to the flowers of Cornus alternifolia, drawn to the open flat topped flower clusters.
What does Cornus alternifolia look like as a mature tree?: It grows as a small understory tree with tiered, horizontal branching that gives it a layered or pagoda-like silhouette, usually reaching modest heights of 15 to 25 feet.
Is Alternate-leaf Dogwood toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Alternate-leaf Dogwood as toxic to livestock.
Is Alternate-leaf Dogwood HOA-friendly?: Alternate-leaf Dogwood is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

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