20' × 30-35' Also known as Alternate-Leaved Dogwood.
Small tree or large multi-stemmed shrub, particularly beautiful with its tiers of horizontal branches and fragrant white 2–3" flower clusters. These appear in mid-late spring followed by immature olive-green berries, each tipped with a tiny bright yellow style remnant. In midsummer clusters of dark blue berries ripen above the blue-green foliage. Reddish-purple fall color.
One of the most popular dogwoods with the birds. Roots, bark and inner bark are all medicinal.
Excellent naturalized as a specimen or in groups. Once established, you’ll find the occasional seedling popping up here and there around the property. Always a welcome guest to the landscape. Prefers partial shade and moist well-drained acid soil, but tolerates full sun, poor soil and even clay. pH adaptable.
Susceptible to golden canker: when dormant, prune out diseased branches to prevent spores spreading to the trunk. Native to eastern U.S. Zone 3.