Species kousa dogwood
light-pink flowers with olive center, lime leaves and lime-yellow stems

kousa dogwood

Cornus kousa 'Fireworks'

Kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa 'Fireworks') is an amazing flowering tree! Its eye-catching blooms feature delicate shades of pink, white, and crimson on off-shooting branches. When planted in groups, the effect is truly spectacular. This tree also exhibits great leaf color in fall, with the leaves changing to shades of bronze and reddish-purple. This is the perfect ornamental tree for any garden. Tough and hardy, it grows in nearly any soil condition, and is also disease and pest resistant. With the added bonus of small, strawberry-like fruits in the summer, it's an incredibly beautiful and low maintenance addition to the landscape.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Grafting Propagation,Cutting,Layering Propagation,Air Layering Propagation,Tissue Culture,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

4 - 8

Flowers:

Soft pink bracts Flowers

Sun:

part sun/part shade

Fruits:

red,pink,white Fruits Ready In

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

red,yellow,orange

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Kousa dogwood, also known as Cornus kousa 'Fireworks,' should be watered thoroughly about once a week with about 1 inch of water. During warmer months, especially periods of drought, an increase of 1 to 2 extra waterings a week may be necessary. To ensure the soil is adequately moist, water until it starts to trickle from the bottom of the container. During winter months, reduce watering to ensure that the soil does not become soggy. The Kousa dogwood also appreciates being misted with water occasionally to increase humidity around the plant.

sunlight

Kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa 'Fireworks') will thrive in part sun to full sun locations. It should get at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. While this plant can tolerate some shade, it will produce more vibrant floral displays when grown in full sun. For maximum flowering, the kousa dogwood should receive full sun during the morning and afternoon, with some afternoon shade. If possible, place the kousa dogwood in an east- or west-facing location to maximize its exposure to the sun but still benefit from evening shade.

pruning

Kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa 'Fireworks') should typically be pruned in late winter or early spring before new growth appears. Pruning should be minimal and only enough to remove dead, damaged or crossing branches. Kousa dogwood does not require much pruning, so when pruning limit if to removing dead, overlapping, or crossing branches and shaping the plant. When pruning, be sure to avoid removing more than ⅓ of the plant at 1 time to prevent damage or undue stress.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Harvest Fruit

The best time to start harvesting the fruits from Cornus kousa 'Fireworks' is in late summer, usually August and September.

Starts Flowering

Kousa dogwood typically starts flowering in late May or early June.

Starts Flowering

Kousa dogwood typically starts flowering in late May or early June.

Harvest Fruit

The best time to start harvesting the fruits from Cornus kousa 'Fireworks' is in late summer, usually August and September.

Hardiness Map