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Pistachio Pagoda Dogwood

Cornus alternifolia 'Piszam'

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Pistachio Pagoda Dogwood (Cornus alternifolia 'Piszam') at Bloch's Farm

Pistachio Pagoda Dogwood flowers

Pistachio Pagoda Dogwood flowers

(Photo courtesy of Lake County Nursery)

Pistachio Pagoda Dogwood (Cornus alternifolia 'Piszam') at Bloch's Farm

Pistachio Pagoda Dogwood foliage

Pistachio Pagoda Dogwood foliage

(Photo courtesy of Lake County Nursery)

Height:  20 feet

Spread:  25 feet

Sunlight:  full sun  partial shade 

Hardiness Zone:  4a

Description:

A beautiful landscape plant, valued for its almost horizontal branching habit; creamy white flowers in spring, dark blue berries and fall color in tones of red; quite fussy, needs a cool, moist site with afternoon shade, also prefers acidic soil

Ornamental Features

Pistachio Pagoda Dogwood has clusters of fragrant creamy white flowers held atop the branches in late spring. It has green deciduous foliage which emerges burgundy in spring. The glossy pointy leaves turn an outstanding red in the fall. It produces navy blue berries in mid summer.

Landscape Attributes

Pistachio Pagoda Dogwood is an open multi-stemmed deciduous tree with a stunning habit of growth which features almost oriental horizontally-tiered branches. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance tree, and usually looks its best without pruning, although it will tolerate pruning. It is a good choice for attracting birds to your yard. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Pistachio Pagoda Dogwood is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Accent
  • General Garden Use
  • Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens

Planting & Growing

Pistachio Pagoda Dogwood will grow to be about 20 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 25 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 2 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 30 years.

This tree does best in full sun to partial shade. You may want to keep it away from hot, dry locations that receive direct afternoon sun or which get reflected sunlight, such as against the south side of a white wall. It requires an evenly moist well-drained soil for optimal growth, but will die in standing water. It is particular about its soil conditions, with a strong preference for rich, acidic soils. It is quite intolerant of urban pollution, therefore inner city or urban streetside plantings are best avoided, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selection of a native North American species.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight Soil pH Preference
Characteristics
Accent  Garden  Naturalizing 
Applications
Flowers  Fruit  Fall Color  Plant Form  Winter Value  Attracts Wildlife 
Ornamental Features