Riverwoods Village Hall
300 Portwine Rd.
Riverwoods, IL 60015
Office Hours: M-F, 8:30am - 1:30pm
Phone: 847-945-3990
Fax: 847-945-4059
Native Plant Spotlight | Dogwood
Pagoda Dogwood, also called Alternate-Leaved Dogwood
Native to Riverwoods, Pagoda Dogwood (Cornus alternifolia) is a large shrub or small tree that has a distinct horizontal tiered branching pattern resembling the multiple roofs of a pagoda.
- Ornamental Value: flat-headed clusters of fragrant white flowers bloom among the leaves in late spring to early summer for about 2 to 3 weeks which are replaced by dark blue berries that are eaten by many birds. Deer, rabbits, chipmunks, etc eat the leaves, twigs and berries. It is usually found in deciduous and mixed woodlands as well as cultivated as an ornamental landscape plant.
- Growing Conditions: it grows slowly and prefers partial sun in moist well drained soil.
- Mature Size: up to 25 feet tall.
Red-Osier Dogwood
Also native to Riverwoods, Red-Osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea) is a woody deciduous medium to large erect shrub with multiple dark red stems ascending from the ground.
- Ornamental Value: flat-headed clusters of fragrant white flowers bloom among the leaves in late spring to early summer and sometimes later in the year. The flowers are replaced with sour/bitter white berries in late summer and are eaten by wood ducks and songbirds. It can be found in shrub swamps, sandy areas along rivers, marshes and is often used in landscaping.
- Growing Conditions: prefers full sun to partial shade in moist conditions. It grows quickly and can survive temporary flooding.
- Mature Size: 3 to 9 feet tall.
Native Tree & Shrub Planting Cost-Share Program
To help restore the ecological health of our woodlands, residents are encouraged to plant native trees, shrubs, flowers and other plant species. You might qualify for a Native Tree & Shrub Planting cost-share program, with the Village covering half of the cost of the plants and the planting.
Your property may qualify for one or more of the Village's Cost-Share programs, which can not only help restore the ecological health of Riverwoods, but can also improve your property's ornamental landscape and real estate value. To see which cost-share programs your property qualifies for, request an Ecological Consultation with the Village Ecologist.
