Species Chinese dogwood Guide
White flowers with pale-green center and green leaves with lime-green veins and midribs on lime-green stems

Chinese dogwood

Cornus kousa var. chinensis 'Milky Way'

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Air Layering Propagation,Grafting Propagation,Cutting,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

4 - 8

Flowers:

Creamy white bracts Flowers

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Fruits:

Fruits Ready In Summer

Edible:

Yes

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Water Chinese dogwood regularly for the first 2 years of its life, providing 1–2 inches of water per week. During extended drought periods, water more frequently to help ensure that the soil remains moist. The frequency of watering should be decreased gradually over time, transitioning eventually to deep watering every 2–3 weeks. Over watering can lead to root rot and fungal diseases.

sunlight

Chinese dogwood (Cornus kousa var. chinensis 'Milky Way') prefers to be in sunlight for part of the day, such as a few hours in the morning when the sun is at its lowest and the light is the least intense. This should be followed by some afternoon shade as the sun gets hotter. If planted in an area where there is direct sunlight all day, providing some shade in the afternoon will protect the plant from sunburn and other damage from the intense summer heat. During the winter months, the Chinese dogwood should get plenty of bright light, preferably 6 hours per day.

pruning

Chinese dogwood can be pruned in late winter or early spring (February or March). Prune off any dead, diseased, or damaged branches. Also, to promote a bushier structure, lightly prune the new growth that appears in late spring or early summer. Avoid pruning too much as it can inhibit flower production. Chinese dogwood can also be pruned in the fall after it has finished flowering.