{"product_id":"pagoda-dogwood-tree","title":"Pagoda Dogwood","description":"\u003ch1\u003eA Native Shade-Loving Tree With Striking Horizontal Layers\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePagoda Dogwood (\u003cem\u003eCornus alternifolia\u003c\/em\u003e) is one of Minnesota's most elegant native trees — named for its distinctive tiered, horizontal branching that stacks in graceful layers like the roofs of a pagoda. Fragrant white spring flowers give way to blue-black berries that songbirds devour, and the foliage turns a rich wine-red in fall. Best of all, it thrives in the part-to-full shade where most flowering trees sulk, making it a prized choice for woodland and shade gardens. Hardy to zone 3 and native to our region, it's perfectly at home here. Whether you're planting beneath a mature oak canopy in Edina, a woodland-edge specimen in Woodbury, or a shade-garden centerpiece in Maple Grove, Pagoda Dogwood brings architecture and native value to the shadier corners of the yard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePagoda Dogwood Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAttribute\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetail\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cem\u003eCornus alternifolia\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePagoda Dogwood, Alternate-Leaf Dogwood, Blue Dogwood\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e15–25 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Width\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20–30 feet — wide, horizontally tiered\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSlow to moderate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSun\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePart shade to full shade — one of the best small trees for shady sites\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrefers consistent moisture in cool, well-drained soil; not for hot, dry, exposed spots.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–7 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a) — very hardy across the metro\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAdaptable. Prefers moist, well-drained, slightly acidic loam rich in organic matter.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFlowers\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFragrant white flat-topped flower clusters in late spring\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFruit\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlue-black berries on red stems — a favorite of songbirds\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFoliage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeciduous — turning reddish-purple to wine-red in fall\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to -40°F once established\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate — may be browsed; protect young trees in high-pressure yards\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNative Status\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinnesota native — a natural woodland understory tree\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePagoda Dogwood Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eShade and Woodland Gardens\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a go-to small tree for the shady spots that stump most homeowners. Pagoda Dogwood naturally grows as a woodland understory tree, so it flourishes in the dappled-to-full shade beneath Minnesota's mature oaks and maples where sun-loving trees fail.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eArchitectural Specimen\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tiered, horizontal branching is genuinely sculptural — a living piece of architecture that's striking in every season, especially when bare in winter. A single specimen anchors a shade bed or woodland edge beautifully in Edina or Plymouth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eNative Wildlife Tree\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFragrant spring flowers feed pollinators, and the blue-black berries on bright red stems are a magnet for cedar waxwings, robins, and other songbirds. As a Minnesota native, it's an excellent anchor for a wildlife-friendly or Lawns to Legumes planting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Pagoda Dogwood in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDogwood is deciduous, so you have two good planting windows in the Twin Cities:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpring (late April–May)\u003c\/strong\u003e, once the ground has thawed, is excellent — the tree gets the full growing season to establish before its first winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFall (September–mid-October)\u003c\/strong\u003e also works well. Plant at least six weeks before the ground freezes so roots can settle in. Avoid mid-summer planting when heat stress is highest, and never plant into frozen ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Pagoda Dogwood\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChoose a part-to-full-shade site with cool, moist soil — avoid hot, dry, fully exposed spots.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDig wide, not deep — the hole should be 2–3 times the root ball width but only as deep as the ball itself.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCheck drainage — if water pools in the hole, break through clay hardpan or mound-plant slightly to keep roots out of standing water.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBackfill with the native soil mixed with 20–30% compost for a cool, organic-rich, slightly acidic root zone.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuild a 3–4 inch water basin around the root zone to direct water to the roots; flatten it before winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMulch with 2–3 inches of shredded bark or wood chips, kept 2 inches from the trunk, to keep the roots cool and evenly moist.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Pagoda Dogwood in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFirst Year Watering Schedule\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeeks 1–2: water every 1–2 days, deep and slow. Month 1–2: every 3–4 days. Month 3 through fall: every 5–7 days during active growth, less when rainfall is adequate. Pagoda Dogwood likes cool, moist roots, so don't let it dry out. Stop watering 2–3 weeks before the ground freezes in late October so the tree can harden off for winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAfter Year One\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEstablished Pagoda Dogwood grows best with steady moisture and benefits from supplemental water during hot, dry stretches (2+ weeks with no rain). Water deeply to 6–8 inches every 7–14 days during drought, and keep a mulch layer to hold moisture and keep the roots cool.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill Pagoda Dogwood survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — it's a hardy native, reliable to about -40°F and right at home in our climate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it really grow in shade?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — it's a natural woodland understory tree and one of the best small flowering trees for part-to-full shade, including under mature oak and maple canopy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it native to Minnesota?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — \u003cem\u003eCornus alternifolia\u003c\/em\u003e is native across the state, offering genuine ecological value alongside its ornamental appeal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat's the best feature?\u003c\/strong\u003e The tiered horizontal branching — a graceful, architectural form that's beautiful year-round and especially striking in the bare-branched winter landscape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlue Beech (American Hornbeam)\u003c\/strong\u003e — a native shade-tolerant understory tree with smooth muscle-like bark.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAutumn Brilliance Serviceberry\u003c\/strong\u003e — a native multi-season tree with edible berries and brilliant fall color.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNannyberry Viburnum (Tree Form)\u003c\/strong\u003e — a native four-season small tree for woodland edges.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIronwood\u003c\/strong\u003e — a tough native understory tree for shady, woodland sites.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Pagoda Dogwood Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePagoda Dogwood shines as a single architectural specimen — give it 15–20 feet of clearance so the horizontal tiers can spread unobstructed. For a naturalized woodland edge, plant a loose group of 3 spaced 15–18 feet apart; the layered canopies will read as one sweeping composition without crowding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePagoda Dogwood Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fragrant, creamy-white flat-topped flower clusters blanket the tiered branches in late May–June, humming with native bees and other pollinators.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cool green layered foliage; by midsummer, blue-black berries ripen on showy red stems and the songbirds — cedar waxwings especially — move in fast.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Foliage deepens to reddish-purple and wine-red, glowing against the darker woodland backdrop.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e The signature season for form — the bare horizontal tiers hold shelves of snow and look deliberately sculpted against the drifts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Minnesota Native   ✔ Pollinator-Friendly   ✔ Shade-Tolerant   ✔ Four-Season Interest\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/blue-beech-american-hornbeam\"\u003eBlue Beech (American Hornbeam)\u003c\/a\u003e — a fellow native understory tree that loves the same cool shade.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/autumn-brilliance-serviceberry\"\u003eAutumn Brilliance Serviceberry\u003c\/a\u003e — native spring bloom and edible berries for the sunnier woodland edge.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/nannyberry-viburnum-tree\"\u003eNannyberry Viburnum (Tree Form)\u003c\/a\u003e — a four-season native companion that extends the berry buffet for birds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/ironwood-hophornbeam\"\u003eIronwood\u003c\/a\u003e — a rugged native understory tree to round out a layered shade planting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Pagoda Dogwood Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChoose it if you have a part-to-full-shade spot with cool, moist, organic soil — under mature trees, on a north side, or along a woodland edge — and you want native wildlife value plus genuine architectural beauty. It's not a fit for hot, dry, exposed sites in full afternoon sun, where it will struggle and become prone to golden canker; pick a serviceberry for those spots instead.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"1.5\"BB","offer_id":54260812415281,"sku":"GT-T1515","price":356.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1.75\"BB","offer_id":54260812448049,"sku":"GT-T1520","price":384.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2\"BB","offer_id":54260812480817,"sku":"GT-T1525","price":425.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"5'CLPBB","offer_id":54260812513585,"sku":"GT-T1530","price":315.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"6'CLPBB","offer_id":54260812546353,"sku":"GT-T1540","price":343.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"7'CLPBB","offer_id":54260812579121,"sku":"GT-T1545","price":370.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"8'CLPBB","offer_id":54260812611889,"sku":"GT-T1546","price":439.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/pagoda-dogwood-tree.jpg?v=1779426700","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/pagoda-dogwood-tree","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}