Cornus kousa (Kousa Dogwood)

Cornus kousa (Kousa Dogwood) is a small, deciduous flowering tree or multi-stemmed shrub with four seasons of interest. In spring, a heavenly array of star-like blooms appear. Four narrowly pointed white bracts surround the center cluster of tiny yellowish-green flowers. The blossoms give way to pinkish-red to red fruits in summer, which persist into fall unless devoured by hungry birds. Its canopy of layered branches, clad with oval, pointed, dark green leaves, provides shade and beauty in summer. In the fall, it offers spectacular bright red color when its foliage turns attractive shades of purple and scarlet. Its exfoliating, mottled, tan, and gray bark adds interest to the landscape in winter.

Hardier and more disease-resistant than Cornus florida, Cornus kousa is an excellent alternative to flowering dogwoods.

• Grows with a vase-shaped habit when young but becomes more rounded with age. This plant grows at a slow to medium rate and can reach 15-30 ft. high and across (4-9 m).
• Winner of the Cary Award, which recognizes plants that are particularly adequate for New England, offer superior landscape appeal, and are winter hardy and pest resistant.
• Performs best in full sun to part shade, in organically rich, medium moisture, acidic to neutral, well-drained soils. Prefers average moisture, but is somewhat drought-resistant.
• Easy to grow, easy to care for, deer resistant.
• Great choice as a specimen near patios or lawns, in shrub borders, woodland gardens, or naturalized areas.
• Dogwoods are susceptible to a range of pests and diseases.
• Propagate by semi-hardwood or hardwood cuttings or grafting
• Native to Japan, Korea, and China