Kousa 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 cousin to our native flowering dogwood can be used as a specimen plant or in shrub borders.

Depending on the age of the Kousa dogwood, the trees take 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.  This tree does better in open areas like lawns than the native trees do but is prefers some light shade especially in the afternoon.  It prefers well-drained acidic soil and while it tolerates some dry soil it will not survive in water-logged environments.  It has shallow roots so does not like to be transplanted.  If necessary transplant in the early spring.

Our native dogwoods bloom in April, while the Kousa dogwoods flower nearly a month later. 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 gives the bark an attractive mottled appearance.  It truly has year-round interest.  

The soil should be well-drained but moist. Resistant to anthracnose, this tree (which is a great addition to many Carolina landscapes) is also mildly resistant to damage by deer. Don’t let this opportunity to plant a real showstopper pass you by!

Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems:  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, septoria leaf spot.   Dropped fruits can ferment and attract yellow jackets.  Underneath the tree seedlings sprout prolifically and can be weedy.