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colorful fall leaves of rhus aromatica
Rhus aromatica ‘Gro-Lo’ (Fragrant Sumac) Photo © Mary Free
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Swida alternifolia (Alternate-leaf or Pagoda Dogwood)

Swida alternifolia flower buds in May
Swida alternifolia flowers in May
Swida alternifolia flowers in May
Native Swida (Cornus) alternifolia Leaves
Swida alternifolia in landscape in May
Swida alternifolia fruit in June
Swida alternifolia fruit in July
Swida alternifolia bark in September

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Swida alternifolia* Alternate-leaf or Pagoda Dogwood Common names derive from leaf arrangement and from layers of horizontal branches tapering toward the top. Ecologist and entomologist Doug Tallamy calls this native** “a great reminder that our plants are our bird-feeders.”*** Tried and True Native Plants of the Mid-Atlantic Tree Young Tree, Leaves, Flowers w/ Bee, Fruit Height: 15–25 feet Spread: 15–35 feet Bloom Color: Creamy white Characteristics Flat-topped, small deciduous tree or large shrub with horizontal branching habit Alternate, pinnate, ovate leaves–smooth green above, whitish pubescent below—clustered at branch ends, appearing almost whorled Flat, fragrant, flower clusters (cymes) May to June Blue-black fruits (drupes) in July and August; persistent fruit stalks turn attractive red Mix of yellow and maroon fall foliage Old bark ridged, gray/brown; young stems purple Attributes Tolerant of sun and light shade; no serious pests although scale, leaf miners, and borers appear on occasion; susceptible to leaf spot, twig and leaf blights, root rot, and canker Deer occasionally severely damage Attracts many pollinators; high wildlife value used by 64 wildlife species and 43 bird species Growing and Maintenance Tips Excellent Replacement for Soil Requirements: Rich, acidic Acer palmatum - Japanese Maple Benthamidia japonica - Kousa Dogwood Koelreuteria paniculata - Golden Raintree Ulmus parviflora, U. pumila - Chinese & Siberian Elms Light Requirements: Partial Shade, Shade Water Requirements: Moist Moisture vital for longterm survival; mulch root zone *Synonymous with Cornus alternifolia as it was known before traditional Cornus was split into several genera. **In the Mid-Atlantic, it is absent in DC. In DE, it is common in the Piedmont & rare in the Coastal Plain. It occurs in northern MD and throughout PA. In VA, it is frequent in the mountains & infrequent to rare elsewhere. In NoVA, it is not reported In Alexandria, Fairfax City & Prince William County. ***From The Living Landscape: Designing for Beauty and Biodiversity in the Home Garden, page 223. Use as specimen, on terrace, along shaded water’s edge, in woodland gardens and naturalistic areas Hardiness: USDA Zones 3-7 developed by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, serving Arlington and Alexandria Images by Elaine Mills, U.S. National Arboretum and private garden, Arlington

Tried and True Native Plant Selections
for the Mid-Atlantic

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Swida alternifolia* (Alternate-leaf or Pagoda Dogwood)

Common names derive from leaf arrangement and from layers of horizontal branches tapering toward the top. Ecologist and entomologist Doug Tallamy calls this native** “a great reminder that our plants are our bird-feeders.”***

*Synonymous with Cornus alternifolia as it was known before traditional Cornus was split into several genera.

**In the Mid-Atlantic, it is absent in DC. In DE, it is common in the Piedmont & rare in the Coastal Plain. It occurs in northern MD and throughout PA. In VA, it is frequent in the mountains & infrequent to rare elsewhere. In NoVA, it is not reported In Alexandria, Fairfax City & Prince William County. You can view the VA counties in which it has been reported here.

***From The Living Landscape: Designing for Beauty and Biodiversity in the Home Garden, page 223.

Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic plants: 
Tried and True Native Plant Fact Sheets