Bloomipedia
Alternate-leaved dogwood (Cornus alternifolia)
Photo: Kent P. McFarland via iNaturalist · CC0 · resized

Flower profile

Alternate-leaved dogwood

Cornus alternifolia

Alternate-leaved dogwood (Cornus alternifolia) is a shrub or small tree in the Cornaceae family, native in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly May–June across the U.S.

Native to Vermont

Alternate-leaved dogwood is a flowering plant that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. In Vermont it's most often seen in bloom in May–June.

30states where USDA records it
1,234VT sightings*
9,952U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Vermont

Quick look

Cornus alternifolia is a species of flowering plant in the dogwood family Cornaceae, native to eastern North America, from Newfoundland west to southern Manitoba and Minnesota, and south to northern Florida and Mississippi. It is rare in the southern United States. It is commonly known as green osier, alternate-leaved dogwood, and pagoda dogwood.

  • It belongs to the Cornaceae family. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS describes it as a shrub / a tree with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 30 states. USDA PLANTS
  • NatureServe lists it as native to Vermont. NatureServe
  • In Vermont, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May–June. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as white. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as mid spring. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 25 ft. USDA PLANTS
  • iNaturalist has 1,234 research-grade sightings of it in Vermont, ranking #68 among the 159 flowers on our Vermont list. iNaturalist

When does it bloom?

In Vermont, most flowering sightings come in May–June.

Flowering records by month in Vermont (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (120 records)

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA)
Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
NatureServe global
G5 Secure worldwide. NatureServe
Vermont
Not listed Not on Endangered and Threatened Plants of Vermont (10 V.S.A. chap. 123; list of Feb 10, 2022). NatureServe: S5, secure in Vermont. Vermont E&T list
Rare elsewhere
Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: FL (S2), MS (S2). (S1 critically imperiled, S2 imperiled, SH possibly extirpated, SX presumed extirpated.)

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleEdible (per NC State Extension)

NC State Extension notes: “The fruits are bitter and sour. They are not edible by humans, but they are a food source for grouse, pheasants, wild turkeys, and squirrels.” NC State Extension

For petsNot well documented

It isn't on the ASPCA plant list, and NC State Extension doesn't flag it for pets.

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records alternate-leaved dogwood in 30 states.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin.

Vermont counties with USDA records: Addison, Bennington, Caledonia, Chittenden, Essex, Franklin, Grand Isle, Orange, Orleans, Rutland, Windham, Windsor.

Growing conditions

USDA PLANTS gives Alternate-leaved dogwood a low shade tolerance, low drought tolerance and medium moisture use. It is rated for soil pH 4.8 to 7.3 and winter lows down to -47 °F.

Shade tolerance
Low
Drought tolerance
Low
Moisture use
Medium
Soil textures it is adapted to
medium
Soil pH range
4.8 to 7.3
Minimum temperature tolerated
-47 °F
Frost-free days needed (minimum)
120
Annual precipitation range
24 to 70 inches
Minimum root depth
20 inches
Salinity tolerance
None
Fertility requirement
Medium
Growth rate
Moderate
Lifespan
Moderate
Active growth period
Spring and Summer
Fruit or seed
Black · Summer to Fall
Can be propagated by
bare root, container, cuttings, seed
Commercial availability
No Known Source

From the USDA PLANTS characteristics data for COAL2. USDA ratings are general guidance for the species, not a guarantee for your garden.

Names, range and relatives

Native status by region (USDA PLANTS): Canada: Native; Lower 48 states: Native; St. Pierre and Miquelon: Native.

Other scientific names (synonyms in USDA PLANTS): Swida alternifolia.

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 783 counties across 27 states; the most are in Ohio (77), Wisconsin (68), Pennsylvania (66).

Other Cornus on Bloomipedia (9): Flowering dogwood, Canadian bunchberry, Red osier dogwood, Roughleaf dogwood, Western bunchberry, Silky dogwood, Cornelian cherry, Kousa dogwood, Swedish cornel.

More Vermont flowers

Canadian bunchberry (Cornus canadensis)

Canadian bunchberry

Cornus canadensis

Native

🌼 Blooms in VT: May–June
Kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa)

Kousa dogwood

Cornus kousa

🌷 Flowering tree

🌷 Grown in Vermont gardens
Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas)

Cornelian cherry

Cornus mas

🌷 Flowering tree

🌷 Grown in Vermont gardens

Sources