The Pagoda Dogwood is a small understory tree native to much of the eastern United States. It gets its common name from its pagoda-like horizontal branching pattern. An older name, Pigeonberry, refers to the fruits, which were once a favorite food of the now-extinct passenger pigeons. Its scientific species name, alternifolia, relates to the leaf pattern, which, unlike most dogwoods, alternates along the stem.
This plant's blossoms aren't as showy as those of the common Flowering Dogwood, but they are still attractive. They are creamy or yellowish white, very fragrant, and form clusters at the ends of branches. The flowers are followed by berries that gradually change from green to red to blue-black, on red stalks. These berries are a valuable food for birds and other wildlife.
The leaves can turn to a beautiful reddish-purple before they drop in autumn. The color varies from tree to tree, and may partly depend on growing conditions. The light brownish-gray bark, together with the interesting branching structure, give the plant winter appeal.
This species is found over a large part of the eastern United States, but there are small genetic differences between plants from different regions. For this reason, plants grown from a southern seed source may not do well in the north, and vice-versa. Northern-adapted plants are very cold-hardy, and can be grown in Zone 4 and the warmer parts of Zone 3.
Hardy zone 3-7
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Sowing instructions
Natural germination of dogwood usually occurs in the spring following seedfall, but some seeds do not germinate until the second spring. Germination is epigeal. Stratification of freshly collected seed at 41° F for periods up to 120 days is recommended for overcoming embryo dormancy . After stratification sow in spring (surface) in a light shady spot. Can be transpalnted well, once seedling is a few inch tall.
