Alternate-Leaved Dogwood (Cornus alternifolia)
Alternate-Leaved Dogwood, aka Pagoda Dogwood, is such a great landscape plant for wildlife. Not only does it host the Spring Azure and 121 other species of butterflies and moths in our area (nwf.org) (illinoiswildflower.info), but it is also the host to four specialist bees (Xerces.org). But that’s not all, the berries are a popular food source for many birds (Bird Table) and it has nice fall colors (illinoiswildflower.info). Deer also like to munch on this shrub, so protect it until it is able to fend for itself!
Photo credit: Dave Lage
Alternate-Leaved Dogwood, aka Pagoda Dogwood, is such a great landscape plant for wildlife. Not only does it host the Spring Azure and 121 other species of butterflies and moths in our area (nwf.org) (illinoiswildflower.info), but it is also the host to four specialist bees (Xerces.org). But that’s not all, the berries are a popular food source for many birds (Bird Table) and it has nice fall colors (illinoiswildflower.info). Deer also like to munch on this shrub, so protect it until it is able to fend for itself!
Photo credit: Dave Lage
Alternate-Leaved Dogwood, aka Pagoda Dogwood, is such a great landscape plant for wildlife. Not only does it host the Spring Azure and 121 other species of butterflies and moths in our area (nwf.org) (illinoiswildflower.info), but it is also the host to four specialist bees (Xerces.org). But that’s not all, the berries are a popular food source for many birds (Bird Table) and it has nice fall colors (illinoiswildflower.info). Deer also like to munch on this shrub, so protect it until it is able to fend for itself!
Photo credit: Dave Lage
Life Cycle: Perennial
Sun Exposure: Partial, Shade
Soil Moisture: Medium-Wet, Medium, Medium-Dry
Height: Up to 25 feet
Plant Spacing: 6-12 feet
Bloom Time: May-July
Bloom Color: White
Advantages: Caterpillar Favorite, Bird Favorite, Pollinator Favorite, Great Landscape Plant.
Host Plant: Possibly the Spring Azure and 121 other species of butterflies and moths in our area (nwf.org) (illinoiswildflower.info)
Specialist Bee: Fragile Dogwood Mining Bee (Andrena fragilis) Short-haired Dogwood Mining Bee (Andrena integra), Plated Miner Bee (Andrena platyparia), and A. persimulata (Holm, 2017) (Xerces.org) (illinoiswildflower.info)
Resources: Holm, Heather. Bees: An Identification and Native Plant Forage Guide. Pollination Press, 2017
