Pagoda dogwood
Cornus alternifolia
Layered branches like a pagoda; blue berries vanish into birds by August.
Hardiness: zones 3 to 7
Light: part shade
Size: about 20 ft tall, 20 ft wide
From: E. North America
Here: Hardy in the Lake Erie shore climate (zone 6b to 7a), so it can live outdoors in the ground.
Good for: wildlife, pollinators.
Native to: Northeast, Midwest & Great Lakes, Southeast, Eastern Canada. Hardy in zones 3 to 7.
The story
Pagoda dogwood grows its branches in flat, layered tiers, which is where the name comes from. It is an understory tree of cool northern woods, and the only native dogwood whose leaves are set alternately along the twig.
Planting
Part shade and cool, moist, acid soil. It dislikes hot afternoon sun and dry wind.
Growing
Mulch and water in dry spells. Let it keep its natural shape; pruning spoils the tiers.
Harvest and use
Creamy flower clusters in late spring, then blue-black berries on red stalks that birds clear out by August.
What to watch for
Golden canker on stressed trees. Keep the roots cool and moist.
See if Pagoda dogwood fits your yard
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More native and wild plants
General guidance, not professional advice. Conditions vary by yard and year; for local specifics ask your county extension office. Never eat a wild plant you cannot identify with certainty. Traditional uses are shared as history, not medical advice. © 2026 Sean Priest · Irie Orchard. Terms & credits · Privacy · Home