Here's a C. florida in my state doing well in full sun in a local park. (there's a maple in back of it) It won't get much taller than this. One reason our native dogwoods are so desirable is because they bloom before they leaf out. As for pagoda dogwoods I would mark them off the list due to golden canker disease. I would certainly consider 'Cherokee Brave' with that deep pink flower.

Wildlife sustenance would be a plus. This pic is from the above tree. Wildlife cannot resist those red berries and they will disappear quickly. Forget the hybrids, they are sterile.
Tennessee leads the world in dogwood production and I'm glad to see the Appalachian series being produced, definitely consider them.

'Sterling Silver'

'Jean's Appalachian Snow'

'Peach Powell'

'Appalachian Joy'It's great to see the interest in disease resistant C. florida. Notice how clean the foliage is. 'Peach Powell' is my favorite, it comes from a Belvidere, TN nursery. The story of 'Appalachian Spring' is interesting. It's origin is traced back to Camp David during the Reagan administration. C. florida sets it's flower buds during the hot, sunny, often droughty, dog days of summer. Countries with an insular climate will not have a great flower display the following spring.

Here's a good bulletin from Cornell on disease resistance in dogwoods. Agree with gardengal's comment on disease resistance in the Cherokee series. I have Cherokee Chief at the corner of my house in full sun for 2/3 of the day and it is growing reasonably well (although it wasn't happy after the polar vortex winters, leafing out late with some tip dieback).

Another option you could consider is Cornus mas or officinalis. I saw Sunsphere when I was in Knoxville a couple years ago. It could be limbed up into tree form.

sam_md, golden canker here isn't the problem w/pagoda dogwood (a few twigs get it, but not significant damage) -- the problem is the dang dogwood sawfly larvae that can chew them bare in a couple days!

Canishel, I would encourage you to consider the Appalachian series of C. florida. HERE is an old American Gardener magazine article about a wholesale grower in your state. They currently list: 'Appalachian Blush, Mist, Joy Snow & Spring'. I am assuming that you buy @ retail so find out who the grower sells to and buy from them.

Thanks to all of you for some great information and links.

I've decided to wait until spring to make a decision. The drought has resulted in substantial damage to my garden and I need to wait to find out what has survived.

But I do welcome more information.