Cornus capitata subsp. angustata
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Cornus capitata var. mollis
- Cornus elliptica
- Dendrobenthamia elliptica
- Phonetic Spelling
- KOR-nus ka-pee-TAH-tah an-goo-STAH-tah
- Description
-
Chinese evergreen dogwood is an evergreen perennial native to China. This small flowering tree or shrub with excellent fall color is in the dogwood family (Cornaceae) family. The species epithet is Latin for “having a head” and refers to the flowers that are borne in dense heads. The subspecies epithet is Latin for “narrow” and refers to the leaves.
Chinese evergreen dogwood prefers full sun to partial shade in organically rich moist well-drained soils.
The tree will grow 12 to 20 feet tall and wide and is evergreen in zones 7 and up. It has attractive thick leathery leaves and blooms profusely from May to June with long-lasting flowers covering the tree. Like the flowering dogwood (Cornus florida), this species has heads of small, greenish-yellow flowers surrounded by four, large, showy bracts. This dogwood blooms later in the season than the native dogwoods and helps to extend the bloom season of dogwood trees.
Use this plant as a specimen, an understory tree or in small groups in the yard. It would work well in a shady woodland garden or an Asian garden.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: The Chinese evergreen dogwood has no serious insects or disease problems.
The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common pests and diseases.
VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Empress of China® 'Elsbry'
Wider, more rounded bracts surrounding the flower head.
- Empress of China® 'Elsbry'
- Empress of China® 'Elsbry'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Empress of China® 'Elsbry'
Wider, more rounded bracts surrounding the flower head.
- Empress of China® 'Elsbry'
- Empress of China® 'Elsbry'
- Tags:
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-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Cornus
- Species:
- capitata
- Family:
- Cornaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- China
- Wildlife Value:
- Birds will eat the fruits
- Edibility:
- Fruits are technically edible but are better left to the birds
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Multi-trunked
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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-
Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Berry-like round fruits form in the center and are red at maturity. They are technically edible but are best left to the birds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- The 4 pointed white bracts, up to 2 inches long, surround the insignificant true flowers that are yellowish-green. Bloom time is late May into June.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Oblong
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Shiny green thick leathery leaves up to 3 inches long. Hairs are present on the undersides. New growth has reddish hints and fall color is reddish to purplish. Margins may curl under.
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-
Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
- Light Gray
- Bark Description:
- Bark grey or greyish brown
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-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Branchlets gray-green with white hairs.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Small groups
- Small Tree
- Specimen
- Understory Tree
- Attracts:
- Songbirds
