Cornus kousa
Kousa Dogwood

Description

General: One of our favorite small deciduous trees. This tree has something to offer in every season. It is vase shaped and grows to 30' in height with a 20' spread.

Leaves: 2-4" long, ovate, dark green in summer turning scarlet in the fall.

Flowers: Description here

Fruit: A tasty drupe that turns a nice dark pink and is conspicuous from August on or until eaten by wildlife.

Bark: Older bark exfoliates in irregular patches that produce multi-colors of grays and browns

Culture

Growing Conditions: Prefers acidic, well-drained soil and sunny to light shade conditions though will flower more abundantly and have nicer fall color in a sunny location. Not drought tolerant.

Maintenance: Minimal pruning and no insect or disease problems. Cornus kousa is resistant to the dogwood anthracnose disease that can affect Cornus florida.

Transplanting: Balled and burlapped in early spring or from container as a young tree. Deep watering once a week until established. A good rule of thumb is to take care of the watering needs of newly planted trees one year for each inch of trunk caliper. After this period of time the tree should be established and should only need watering during times of drought.

Hardiness
Zone 5 to 8.

Experience at Great Hill
This is a very easy tree to take care of and enjoy. We grow several nice cultivars including a pretty pink one called 'Satomi'. The flowers develop after the leaves. The showy parts of the flower are the 4 bracts that persist up to 6 weeks. The effect is a strikingly pleasant contrast of milky white bracts against dark green leaves. They are in full bloom here mid to late June.

Attributes
Good size for the average yard, easy to care for, pretty leaf and long lasting flower, beautiful fall foliage, interesting bark and horizontal branching pattern seen in winter.