Alternate leaf dogwood

It is rare in the southern United States. It is commonly known as green osier, alternate-leaved dogwood , and pagoda dogwood. It is a shrub or small tree rarely exceeding feet in height with a diameter of inches.

Alternate-leaved Dogwood is found scattered throughout the province. It has a low spreading crown made up of nearly horizontal branches and numerous short smooth upright twigs and branch-lets. Description: Alternate leaf dogwood is also known as pagoda dogwood for its tiered horizontal branching.

It is used as an ornamental shrub or small tree. Elliptic-ovate, medium green leaves (to 3-5” long) turn reddish-purple often tinted yellow or green in fall. Although the leaves of most species of dogwood are opposite, those of pagoda dogwood are alternate , hence the specific epithet and often used common name of alternate-leaf dogwood.

In the fall, dogwood leaves add to the charm of the tree by changing to bright colors. Flowering dogwoods , Pacific dogwoods , red-osier dogwoods and rough-leaf dogwoods turn red. The alternate-leaf dogwood leaves change to reds and yellows. Bark and twigs are green to reddish-purple.

Wide, flat-topped clusters of fragrant, white-cream flowers become clusters of reddish-purple berries. Fall foliage is a dull maroon.

This dogwood is a striking specimen in the landscape, with its strongly tiere horizontal branching, providing unusual visual interest in all seasons. Noteworthy Characteristics: Alternate -leaved Dogwood is a shrub with alternate , ovate leaves that are paler underneath. The foliage turns red in the fall.

The thin bark is reddish brown and smooth, but as it matures it develops ridges. Many birds choose alternate -leaved dogwood for nesting. Though unlike all the other native dogwoods in having alternate , rather than opposite, leaves , the leaf of this species is otherwise dogwood -like: simple, oval, and with a long-pointed tip.

The leaves are strongly clustered toward the ends of the branches. Also known as alternate - leaf dogwood , this plant is one of very few dogwoods that have leaves arranged alternately rather than in opposite positions on the stems. This is generally a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub, though it can take the form of a small tree with proper pruning.

Leaves turn reddish-purple in fall. Alternate -leaved dogwood can withstand considerable shade and is common in the forest understory, especially where soils remain moist. But in dim light, beneath a forest canopy, it rarely puts on the good flower show that occurs where sunlight is more plentiful.

The branches are parallel to the ground creating a layered tiered look with upturned branches like a pagoda. It has a fibrous, spreading root system and prefers when the root zone is kept cool. Plant in moist, acidic soils, in the shade but will grow in the sun. A deciduous shrub or small tree, Pagoda Dogwood , also called Alternate - leaf Dogwood , most noticeable characteristic is its fantastic display of purple to blue berries atop red stems followed by deep maroon fall foliage.

These berries are a very important food source for a number of different kinds of wildlife in the fall and winter. Unlike most members of the dogwood family that have opposite leaves, pagoda dogwood has an alternate leaf arrangement.

Pagoda dogwood has greenish to reddish or purple to purple-brown stems. Older bark is gray and has slight ridges or furrows. Cornus alternifolia Alternate Leaf Dogwood $12.

Rough-leaved dogwood is an irregularly branched thicket-forming shrub or small, spreading tree. The name is significant because other dogwoods have oppositely arranged leaves. Branches on this species are often elegantly arranged in tiers, earning it yet another common name: pagoda dogwood.

The glossy foliage is very handsome.