Species Chinese Dogwood
The brown trunk with multiple brown-green branches filled with white-green leaves.

Chinese Dogwood

Cornus kousa

Also Known As - Kousa Dogwood
The Chinese Dogwood (Cornus kousa) is a highly sought after ornamental tree that is loved by gardeners around the world for its beauty and elegance. With its showy white flowers, its white and pink variegated leaves and its large showy fruit, it makes an amazing statement in any garden. It's remarkable four season interest is further enhanced by stunning fall foliage in rich oranges and reds. It's also extremely hardy making it a great choice for any landscape. Its unique beauty and longevity make it one of the most desirable cultivars among gardeners everywhere.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Grafting Propagation,Cutting,Layering Propagation,Air Layering Propagation,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

5

Flowers:

White to pinkish (bracts) Flowers

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Fruits:

red,pink Fruits Ready In Summer

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Chinese Dogwood (Cornus kousa) should be watered deeply and infrequently. As a general rule of thumb, it should be watered once every 5-10 days, depending on the temperature, humidity level, and rainfall in your area. When watering your Chinese Dogwood, be sure to saturate the soil and let the water soak in well. Avoid wetting the leaves and branches to prevent the risk of root rot and disease. If the top 1 inch of soil is dry to the touch, it's time to water again.

sunlight

Chinese Dogwood (Cornus kousa) needs full sun for best growth, bloom and fruiting. The trees should receive at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily during the growing season. Partial shade is ideal for locations with hot summers.

pruning

Chinese Dogwood (Cornus kousa) should be lightly pruned in late winter, just before new growth begins. Pruning should be done only when necessary to remove dead and damaged branches and to shape the tree. All heading cuts should be made close to the stalk to avoid stubs. To avoid over-pruning, remove no more than 1-third of the flowering stems. Pruning should also be done to help enhance the natural form of the tree.

Season

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

Chinese Dogwood typically starts flowering in late April or early May.

Harvest Fruit

The harvesting season for Cornus kousa typically begins in late June and continues through August.

Hardiness Map