About
Cornus kousa var. chinensis is a deciduous shrub or small tree that can reach heights of up to 7 meters. It features elongated, wavy-edged dark green leaves that transform to shades of crimson and purple in the fall. In early summer, it produces small green flowers grouped together in clusters, each encircled by four large, creamy-white bracts measuring up to 5 centimeters. This is followed by the appearance of fleshy, deep pink fruits resembling strawberries.
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
- Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, North-facing, East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs, Trees
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 4-8 metres
- Spread
- 4-8 metres
- Time to full height
- 10-20 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden
- Native to
- China, Japan, Korea
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil in sun or light shade, best in neutral to acid soils but tolerant of alkaline conditions. For more advice, see flowering dogwood cultivation
- Pruning
- Pruning group 1
- Propagation
- Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings 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