Maintenance Landscaping Design

Cornus alternifolia is a species of flowering plant in the family cornaceae, native to eastern north america. it is a deciduous shrub growing to 4 m (13 ft) tall and wide, with ovate leaves 8–20 cm (3–8 in) long and 5–12 cm (2–5 in) broad. the flowers are small and yellow-green, borne in clusters of 4–6 in summer, followed by blue-black berries.

Also known as

• Pagoda dogwood
  
• Alternate-leaf dogwood
  
• Wedding-cake tree
  
• Arrowwood viburnum
  
• Indian arrowwood

Basic info

• Cornus alternifolia is a deciduous shrub or small tree.
  
• It is native to eastern Asia, from the Himalayas east to Japan.
  
• It grows to 6-12 m (20-40 ft) tall, with ovate to oblong leaves 5-10 cm (2-4 in) long and 3-5 cm (1-2 in) broad.
  
• The flowers are small, white, borne in crowded cymes in early summer, and are followed by small, blue-black berries.
  
• The fruit is poisonous to humans, but eaten by many species of birds.
  
• The wood is hard and heavy, and is used for furniture, flooring, and tools.
  
• The bark is used in traditional Chinese medicine.
  
• It is commonly planted as an ornamental tree in temperate regions.
  
• It is tolerant of shade and pollution, and often used in city streetscaping.
  
• It is considered an invasive species in some areas outside its native range, including parts of North America.

Related plant:
Cornus Sericea Flaviramea

Growing Steps

1. For cornus alternifolia, first step is to choose a sunny location with well-drained soil.
   
2. Prepare the planting area by clearing away any weeds or debris.
   
3. loosen the soil to a depth of about 12 inches (30 cm) with a shovel or spade.
   
4. Mix in some organic matter such as compost or manure.
   
5. Dig a hole that is twice as wide and just as deep as the root ball of your plant.
   
6. Place the plant in the hole and fill in around it with soil.
   
7. Tamp down the soil gently and water well.
   
8. Mulch around the plant to help keep the roots cool and moist.
   
9. Fertilize once a month during the growing season.
   
10. Prune away any dead or damaged branches in late winter or early spring.

Related plant:
Cornus Controversa Variegata

Considering the Soil

About soil condition, Cornus alternifolia prefers well-drained, rich soils in partial to full sun. It is tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions, from sandy to clayey, and from acidic to somewhat alkaline.

About light

Not too different with other trees and plants, cornus alternifolia (alternate-leaved dogwood) needs sunlight to grow and thrive. This species is native to North America, and typically grows in woodland areas with partial to full sun exposure. Though it can tolerant some shade, it generally prefers sunnier conditions. When planting, make sure to place it in an area of your yard that receives at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight each day.

Ideal Temperature

The temperature condition of the (Cornus Alternifolia) is that it prefers warm climates and cannot tolerate freezing temperatures for long periods of time. It is native to Asia and parts of the Himalayas, so it is not used to cold winters. In the winter, the (Cornus Alternifolia) should be protected from frost and given a warm place to stay. If the temperature gets too cold, the (Cornus Alternifolia) will lose its leaves and flowers.

Ideal Humidity

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 50% RH. Too much or too little humidity can lead to problems for the plant. If the air is too dry, the leaves will begin to drop and the flowers will stop blooming. If the air is too humid, the leaves will yellow and the plant may become susceptible to fungal diseases.

Fertilizer Requirement

Regarding fertilizer, this plant does not require a lot. In fact, too much fertilizer will burn the roots of the plant. A light application of fertilizer in the spring is all that is needed. As for the root system, it is important to note that this plant has a tendency to spread. Therefore, it is important to plant it in an area where it has room to grow.

Plant Pruning

Pruning is an important part of keeping your Cornus Alternifolia healthy and looking its best. Topping and shaping should be done in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. Remove any dead, diseased, or damaged wood, as well as any suckers that may have sprouted from the base of the plant. Cutting back the branches will encourage new growth and help to keep the plant compact and bushy.

About Propagating

Propagation of Cornus alternifolia is best done by softwood cuttings taken in late spring or early summer. The cuttings should be about 6 inches (15 cm) long and taken from new growth. Cuttings should be placed in a moist, but not wet, growing medium and kept at a temperature of about 68 degrees F (20 degrees C). It is important to keep the cuttings moist, but not wet, as this can lead to root rot. Cuttings should root in 4-8 weeks. Once rooted, they can be transplanted into pots or into the garden.

Plant Growth

Usually, the plant growth rate experiments show that the average growth rate is about 1cm per day. However, some plants have been known to grow up to 2cm per day under the right conditions. The optimum conditions for growth are a temperature between 20-30 degrees Celsius, a humidity level of 60-70%, and a well-lit area.

Common Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are powdery mildew, leaf spot, and canker. Powdery mildew is a white powdery fungus that commonly attacks cornus alternifolia. Leaf spot is another fungal disease that attacks the leaves of the plant, causing them to turn brown and eventually drop off. Canker is a bacterial disease that can cause the plant to wilt and die.

Basics of Growing

• Make sure to plant cornus alternifolia in an area that gets full sun.
  
• This plant does best in moist, well-drained soil.
  
• When planting, make sure to dig a hole that is twice the size of the root ball.
  
• Amend the soil with compost or manure before planting.
  
• Water cornus alternifolia regularly, making sure to keep the soil moist but not soggy.
  
• Fertilize monthly with a balanced fertilizer.
  
• Prune in late winter or early spring to shape the plant.
  
• Cornus alternifolia is susceptible to several diseases, including powdery mildew and leaf spot. Be sure to watch for these and treat accordingly.
  
• This plant is also attractive to deer, so take steps to protect it if deer are a problem in your area.
  
• Cornus alternifolia can be propagated by rooting

Related Plants

• Cornus amomum - silky dogwood
  
• Cornus arcto-medialis - arctic-alpine cornel
  
• Cornus flexuosa - tortuous cornel
  
• Cornus glabrata - flat-crowned dogwood
  
• Cornus helenae - Cornelian cherry
  
• Cornus illinoensis - prairie dogwood
  
• Cornus japonica - Japanese cornel
  
• Cornus kousa - Japanese dogwood
  
• Cornus lanceolata - bunchberry
  
• Cornus macrophylla - giant dogwood

Source:
Cornus alternifolia | Landscape Plant Propagation Information
Cornus alternifolia L.f. – Northern Forest Digital Herbarium
Species: Cornus alternifolia - woodyplants.cals.cornell.edu