Cornus kousa
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Tried and True Recommended by 7 Professionals
Common Name: kousa dogwood
Type: Tree
Family: Cornaceae
Zone: 5 to 8
Native Range: Japan, Korea, China
Height: 15 to 30 feet
Spread: 15 to 30 feet
Bloom Time: May to June
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Description: White to pinkish (bracts)
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Flowers: Showy Flowers
Leaves: Good Fall Color
Fruit: Showy Fruit, Edible Fruit
Wildlife: Attracts Butterflies
Tolerates: Deer
Uses: Flowering Tree, Street Tree

Culture

Best grown in organically rich, medium moisture, well-drained, sandy soils in full sun to part shade.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Kousa dogwood (also sometimes commonly called Japanese dogwood) is a small, deciduous flowering tree or large multi-stemmed shrub which typically grows 15-30’ tall with a vase-shaped habit in the early years, eventually maturing to a more rounded habit. As in the case of flowering dogwood (Cornus florida), the showy parts of the Kousa dogwood “flower” (3-5” across) are the four white petal-like bracts which surround the center cluster of insignificant, yellowish-green, true flowers. However, the showy bracts of Kousa are narrowly pointed whereas the bracts of flowering dogwood are rounded. Bloom occurs in late spring (several weeks after flowering dogwood). Flowers are followed by berry-like fruits (to 1” diameter) which mature to a pinkish red in summer and persist into fall. Fruits are edible, but are usually left for the birds. Dark green foliage turns reddish purple to scarlet in autumn. Cornus kousa var. chinensis (Chinese dogwood) is very similar to the species, except it is slightly more floriferous and its showy flower bracts are slightly larger.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. This plant has better disease resistance and better cold hardiness than flowering dogwood, and is an excellent alternative to flowering dogwood in areas where dogwood anthracnose is a problem.

Garden Uses

A stunning flowering tree or large shrub with good fall color. Plant as a specimen or in small groupings on residential property around homes, near patios or in lawns. Also effective in shrub borders, woodland gardens, bird gardens or naturalized areas.

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