Its flowering might not be as abundant as it would with 4 to 6 hours of sun per day, but your tree will definitely be alright. And it goes without saying that a C. Kousa is the perfect planting for those who want the dogwood aesthetic sans any significant pest and disease risk. Kousa dogwood is gorgeous enough to pose as a specimen in the landscape – it’s a one-plant show. Kousa is already a small understory tree, ‘Wolf Eyes’ is even smaller, topping out at 15 feet in height and width. Come fall, the yellow variegation turns red, and the edges of the leaves morph to a reddish-purple hue.
Growing Conditions
Compared to flowering dogwood, Kousa dogwood is more resistant to drought problems, more cold-hardy, and more disease-resistant (including less susceptibility to dogwood anthracnose). The shallow roots make it difficult to transplant; however, the Kousa dogwood can be easily transplanted in the early spring. It is also mildly resistant to damage by deer. Also effective in shrub borders, woodland gardens, bird gardens or naturalized areas. By following these cultivation guidelines, you can create an enchanting display of Cornus kousa in your garden. This remarkable tree offers year-round interest, with its magnificent blooms, delectable fruits, captivating fall foliage, and exquisite exfoliating bark.
The leaf margins are smooth and do not have serrations or lobes. In the fall, the leaves turn from green to a vibrant mix of colors including red, purple, and scarlet. On average, Kousa Dogwoods grow at a slow-to-medium rate of 1-2 feet per year and reach a height of feet tall.
Other plants like this Cornus kousa (Kousa Dogwood)
There are now many varieties of plants on the market that are a cross between the native dogwood (Cornus florida) and the Kousa dogwood. One of these is called “Appalachian Spring,” and it was created by the University of Tennessee. This shrub also brings color into the garden in the autumn, when its dark green oval leaves turn to a reddish purple color. Masses of small, insignificant, yellowish-green flowers bloom in late May to early June, surrounded by creamy white leaf bracts that are often confused for blossoms. The mature leaf color is dark green, and changes shades of reddish-purple to scarlet in autumn.
Other Plants in the Flower Garden:
Mottled, exfoliating, tan and gray bark on mature trees is attractive in winter. Depending on the age of the Kousa dogwood, the tree takes on a different appearance. Young trees grow in an upright fashion and in somewhat of a conical shape. They are vase-shaped in their youth. As a Kousa matures, it develops more horizontal branching, rounded form, and becomes more wide-spreading.
The Rosemoor specimen, about 28 ft high (1985), is hardy and flowers freely in June or early July. Its outstanding feature is that the bracts of the flowers turn pink almost immediately, which may, incidentally, explain why Mr Hadden suggested that C. Nuttallii was the pollen parent, since in that species a pink flush in the bracts is quite usual. Wide, elliptic to slightly obovate, acute to acuminate, finely appressed-downy beneath and with small brownish tufts in the axils; veins arching, mostly four on each side of the midrib.
How to Grow
- The flowers of the Kousa Dogwood are not actually flowers, but rather modified leaves called bracts.
- Leaves ovate sometimes broadly so with a slender point and wedge-shaped or rounded base, 11⁄2 to 3 in.
- As a tree enthusiast, it pains me to say this… but not every tree should be planted.
- But it would definitely be an tough uphill battle to grow the tree.
- The tree receiving only three hours of afternoon sun, with shade/dappled sun the rest of the time, is an interesting scenario.
Kousa and might be judged to be cultivars of that species but for the tendency of the leaves to persist in winter. Capitata is itself closely allied to C. Kousa and the relationship between the two is in need of further study. After the enchanting blossoms fade, Cornus kousa produces intriguing fruit resembling pink and red strawberries.
The tree showcases small yellow-green flowers surrounded by four creamy white bracts. These bracts, often mistaken for petals, are the true showstoppers of the Kousa dogwood “flower.” With their narrow points and impressive size of 3-5 inches across, they create a mesmerizing spectacle. The flowering season typically occurs in late spring, delighting observers with its vibrant display. When looking for an attractive specimen tree for their landscaping design, many homeowners go no further when they come upon the Kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa). Its unique mottled peeling bark sets the stage for a wide branching canopy, thick branches of bright green leaves, and drifts of white flowers every spring. Keep reading to get tips for growing Kousa dogwood trees and how to take care of Kousa dogwoods in the landscape.
Be sure to select an appropriate planting site with adequate sun exposure and soil drainage to avoid issues with rot, and to promote flowering. Using sterilized gardening tools, disease-free plants, and clean soil are all wise ways of preventing potential problems, of course. Common Cornus issues such as dogwood anthracnose, powdery mildew, and dogwood borer infestations are not a problem for this tree.
The older the tree gets, the more the branches grow horizontally, giving the tree a spreading look that with a decorative canopy. From the drifts of flowers in the spring to the abundant bright red berries late in the summer, Kousa dogwood trees are an ever-changing, attractive addition to almost any landscaping design. Oval, green leaves hang delicately from spring until autumn, when they turn bright red-purple before falling. In early summer clusters of tiny green flowers appear surrounded by four creamy-white bracts, which appear like petals. Deep pink, strawberry-like fruits appear on tall stalks, although in milder climates the tree will only produce fruit after a hot summer. Cornus kousa presents opposite oval leaves that lend an elegant backdrop to cornus kousa its magnificent blooms.
- Kousa is the perfect planting for those who want the dogwood aesthetic sans any significant pest and disease risk.
- The main-stalk is slender, glabrous, 2 to 21⁄2 in.
- Oval, pointed, dark green leaves (to 4” long) turn orange-red to scarlet in autumn.
- Long; bracts obovate to broad-elliptic, up to 11⁄2 in.
The tree has a horizontal branching habit that makes the tree an ideal counterpoint for vertical structures. Appreciates regular moisture during hot summers. This small, deciduous tree is native to East Asia and showcases a captivating array of features that make it a beloved addition to gardens worldwide. Useful in beds or borders, where it can be used like a large shrub or pruned into a standard form to raise the canopy above the other plants. A good specimen tree for a small garden, although it will be bare over winter.
Appreciates consistent moisture during hot summers. The leaves are simple, ovate to elliptic, and have an opposite arrangement on the branches. The leaves are green in color during the growing season, with a smooth texture and a glossy appearance.