Japanese Dogwood Cornus kousa

The Kousa dogwood is a handsome, small- to medium-sized tree reaching a mature height of 30 feet. Sometimes referred to as the Chinese dogwood, this Asian is a cousin to our native flowering dogwood. It can be used as a specimen plant or in shrub borders.

The genus name, Cornus, is Latin, from the word, cornu, which means "horn." This references the hardness of the wood. The species name, kousa, is the Japanese name for this plant.

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.  

Our native dogwoods bloom before foliage emerges in April, while the Kousa dogwoods flower nearly a month later, with its flowers nestled among fresh green leaves. A tree for all seasons, the Kousa dogwood has berries that resemble raspberry fruit in autumn, and the peeling bark on the mature tree trunks has an attractive mottled appearance. The fall leaf color is reddish-purple to scarlet and lasts for 3 to 5 weeks. It truly has year-round interest.  

The plant has a slow growth rate and prefers a sunny location but is tolerant of moderate shade. It does better in open areas like lawns than the native trees, but it prefers some light shade, especially in the afternoon. It flourishes in well-drained, acidic soil, and while it tolerates some dry soil, it will not survive in waterlogged environments.

Compared to Cornus florida this plant 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. 

Cornus kousa would be a great addition to many Carolina landscapes. Don’t let this opportunity to plant a real showstopper pass you by!  

Seasons of interest:

Foliage: Fall     Bloom: early summer      Fruits:  Fall     Bark: Winter

Quick ID Hints:

• bark develops exfoliating patches of tan and brown
• creamy, white, pointed bracts appear in late spring
• fruit is a reddish to pink drupe appearing late summer and fall
• leaves are shiny dark green and become reddish-purple to scarlet in the fall

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  The Kousa dogwood is generally disease and pest-free. Calico scale, dogwood borer, dogwood sawfly, Japanese maple scale, leafhoppers, oyster shell scale. Leaf and flower blight (botrytis), crown canker, bacterial leaf scorch, powdery mildew, and septoria leaf spot can occur. Dropped fruits can ferment and attract yellow jackets. Underneath the tree seedlings sprout prolifically and can be weedy.

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.