Kousa Dogwood (Cornus kousa var. chinensis)
Elegant Four-Season Flowering Tree with Late Spring Blooms & Stunning Fall Color
🌿 Plant Overview
Common Name: Kousa Dogwood / Chinese Dogwood
Botanical Name: Cornus kousa var. chinensis
Plant Type: Deciduous Tree
Family: Cornaceae
Hardiness Zones: 5–8
Native Range: East Asia (China, Japan, Korea)
📊 Key Characteristics
Height: 20–30 feet
Spread: 20–30 feet
Bloom Time: Late spring (May–June)
Flower Color: White bracts (sometimes pink-tinged)
Foliage: Dark green turning orange-red in fall
Growth Habit: Vase-shaped maturing to rounded canopy
☀️ Growing Conditions
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Water Needs: Medium (consistent moisture preferred)
Soil: Adaptable—loamy, clay, chalky, or slightly acidic; well-drained
Maintenance Level: Low
Kousa dogwood performs best in well-drained soils with moderate moisture and adapts well to a variety of landscape conditions.
🌸 Garden Features
✔️ Large, showy late-spring blooms
✔️ Edible, ornamental red fruit
✔️ Brilliant fall color
✔️ Unique exfoliating bark for winter interest
✔️ Attracts birds and pollinators
✔️ Disease resistant
✔️ Deer resistant
✂️ Care & Maintenance
Minimal pruning required. Water regularly during establishment. Mulch to retain moisture and protect roots. Prune lightly to maintain structure if needed.
🌼 Landscape Uses
Specimen tree, lawn tree, woodland gardens, patio plantings, focal point tree
🌿 19 Birch Lane Insight
Kousa dogwood is a true four-season performer—bringing refined beauty in spring, vibrant color in fall, and striking bark through winter.
🌱 Noteworthy Characteristics
Unlike native flowering dogwoods, Kousa blooms later in spring, helping avoid frost damage and ensuring a reliable display. Its large, creamy-white bracts create a dramatic floral effect, followed by unique raspberry-like fruit that attract birds. In fall, foliage transforms into vivid shades of orange and red, while the bark exfoliates to reveal a beautiful mosaic of tones.
⚠️ Problems
Highly disease resistant compared to other dogwoods. Ensure proper drainage to avoid root issues.
Kousa Dogwood (Cornus kousa var. chinensis)
Elegant Four-Season Flowering Tree with Late Spring Blooms & Stunning Fall Color