Plant Profile: Cornus alternifolia

The dogwood showcases striking maroon leaves in the fall, with its unique alternate leaf arrangement. Its branches extend horizontally, forming a tiered appearance reminiscent of a pagoda, with tips that curve upward. This plant features a fibrous, spreading root system that thrives best in cooler root zones. It is best cultivated in moist, acidic soil and prefers shaded areas, although it can also tolerate sunlight. Due to its shallow roots, it does not handle transplantation well. This species can grow as either a small tree or a large shrub, reaching heights of up to 30 feet.

Seasons of Interest:

       Foliage: Fall    Bloom: Spring     

In terms of pests and diseases, it may be affected by calico scale, dogwood borer, dogwood sawfly, Japanese maple scale, leafhoppers, and oyster shell scale. Additionally, it can suffer from anthracnose, leaf and flower blight (botrytis), crown canker, bacterial leaf scorch, powdery mildew, and septoria leaf spot. However, this species exhibits greater resistance to the typical diseases that affect dogwoods. It is susceptible to sunscald and does not tolerate salt well.