About
Cornus kousa is a compact, bushy tree that can reach heights of up to 7 meters. It features oval-shaped leaves that shift to a reddish-purple hue in the fall. The tree produces tight clusters of small white flowers, which are encircled by four prominent, oval cream-colored bracts. These flowers give way to clusters of fruit that resemble strawberries, maturing to a deep pink color.
About the genus
Cornus includes a variety of deciduous shrubs and trees, as well as prostrate, woody perennials, some featuring vibrant young stems. The small flowers appear in compact clusters, occasionally accompanied by prominent bracts. Several species display attractive foliage in the fall.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- North-facing, West-facing, East-facing, South-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
- Plant type
- Trees
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 4-8 metres
- Spread
- 4-8 metres
- Time to full height
- 20-50 years
- Native to
- China, Japan, Korea
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained, neutral to acid soil in sun or light shade. For more advice, see flowering dogwood cultivation
- Pruning
- Pruning group 1
- Propagation
- Propagate by semi-hardwood or hardwood cuttings or grafting
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free but may be susceptible to horse chestnut scale
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to cornus anthracnose and honey fungus