Cornus kousa
Japanese Kousa Dogwood
Mature Size, Growth, Longevity
Average mature size of 20-30' tall and wide. Vase-shaped habit when young, forming a rounded appearance and distinct stratified, horizontal branching pattern with age. Old specimens may get 40' wide. Slow growth rate, possibly medium in early stages of growth.
Native Range
Species native to Japan, Korea, and China. Introduced in 1875.
Flower and Fruit Details
The true lowers are tiny, greenish-yellow, & clustered upright along stems. The showy parts are actually bracts (not petals), 4 of them, each 1-2" long and 0.5-0.75" wide, creamy-white, pointed, lasting for about 6 weeks in early June. Fruits are edible (not tasty), pinkish to red drupes, borne in 0.5-1" globose syncarps, August through October, resembling a raspberry in appearance. Fruits hang from a 2-2.5" long, pedunculous stalk. A tree in heavy fruit is very attractive.
Leaf and Bark Features
Deciduous: Leaves are opposite, simple, elliptic-ovate, 2-4" long and 0.75-1.75" wide, acuminate-tipped, dark green above, appressed pilose and glaucous beneath, with axillary tufts of hairs. Petiole 0.25-0.5" long. Variable reddish-purple to scarlet fall color, lasting about 5 weeks. Fall foliage is very frost-resistant, and colors may also include shades of yellow, gold, amber, and orange. Notable Bark: Bark becomes exfoliating with age, forming a mottled mosaic of gray, tan, copper, olive, and rich brown.
Culture and Care
Strongly prefers a moist, acid, organic, well-drained soil, but tolerates clay. Requires a relatively sunny location. Tolerates light shade to part shade. Drought tolerant once established. Zones 5-8. Avoid, soggy, water-logged sites. No serious disease or insect problems. Occasional powdery mildew and borer problems. Anthracnose-resistant.
Strengths, Weaknesses, Other Facts
More drought resistant than C. florida, and blooms longer. Good wildlife value. 4-season interest: Spring, Summer, Fall & Winter. Flowers emerge after the leaves. Songbirds love the fruits, which often persist until after fall leaf drop.
Suggested Uses
Used as a specimen plant, or a foundation plant, or in a shrub border
Taxa and Plants of this Species at BCA
The following taxa are (or were) represented in the collections at Boone County Arboretum. Additional taxa may be available in the trade that are not included here.
Cornus kousa 'Schmred' // Heart Throb™ Chinese Dogwood
Tree. Bright red flower bracts are large in size. Each flower is about 4" across. Brilliant red fall color. Habit is wide-rounded, 20-30' tall and wide. Introduced by Don Schmidt Nursery in Boring, Oregon.
-- not currently in our collection --Cornus kousa subsp. chinensis // Chinese Kousa Dogwood
Tree. Freely grows to 30' tall and wide. Flowers are larger than the species. Individual flower bracts change from soft green to white, and are 1.5-2.5" long and about 0.75-1" wide. Fruits are edible and somewhat sweet. Introduced by E.H. Wilson from Hubei, China in 1907. Excellent vigor. Flowers in May, earlier than the species.
BT000870 - BT000880 - BT000930 - BT000950 - BT000960Cornus kousa subsp. chinensis 'Milky Way' // Milky Way Kousa Dogwood
Tree. Individual flower bracts are 1.5-2.5" long and about 0.75-1" wide. The 'Milky Way' cultivar has more flower and fruit production than does either the C. kousa species or the chinensis subspecies. This is a broad, bushy form, 15-20' tall and wide, suitable for the smaller landscape, noted for its abundant flowers (in May/June) and showy, edible fruits. Songbirds also love the fruit. Fall foliage color is orange-red to scarlet.
BT000710 - BT000720 - BT000730