Kousa Dogwood

(Cornus kousa)

Kousa Dogwood (Cornus kousa)

Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova

CC BY-SA 4.0

Image By: Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova

Recorded By:

Copyright Notice: Photo by: Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova | License Type: CC BY-SA 4.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0 | Uploader: Nova | Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Title: Cornus_kousa_Dereń_Kousa_2015_02.jpg | Notes: {{Information |Description ={{en|1=Location taken: the United States National Arboretum, Washington D.C.. Names: Cornus kousa F.Buerger ex Hance, Asiatischer Blüten Hartriegel, Asiatisc... |

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Cornus kousa, commonly known as kousa dogwood, is a small deciduous tree in the Cornaceae family, native to East Asia, specifically Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and parts of China. It typically grows to a height of 8–12 m (26–39 ft) and is known for its layered, vase-like form and the showy, white to pinkish bracts that appear in late spring to early summer, resembling flowers. The true flowers are small and greenish-yellow, surrounded by these bracts. As the season progresses, the tree produces raspberry-like fruits that are edible and can attract wildlife. The bark is exfoliating and adds winter interest with its mosaic of tan, gray, and brown.

Kousa dogwood is valued for its extended period of interest, starting with the spring bracts, followed by attractive foliage, then fruit, and finally, the textured bark in the winter. It is commonly used in residential landscapes, as a specimen or border tree, and is appreciated for its resistance to dogwood anthracnose, a disease that affects some other dogwoods. This tree prefers acidic to neutral soil with good drainage and can tolerate a range of light conditions from full sun to part shade. It is less drought-tolerant than some other species and benefits from mulching and supplemental watering during dry periods.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Tree
Height: 15-30 feet
Width: 15-30 feet
Growth Rate: Slow
Flower Color: Cream, Pink, White
Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
Water: Medium
Drainage: Fast, Medium, Slow

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Fire Resistant, Fragrant, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant, Showy Flowers, Street Planting

Natural Habitat

Native to East Asia, including Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and parts of China

Other Names

Common Names: Japanese Dogwood , Chinese Dogwood , Korean Dogwood , Kousa , Japanischer Blumen-Hartriegel , Cornouiller Kousa , Koreansk Blomsterkornell , 산딸나무

Scientific Names: Cornus kousa , Dendrobenthamia japonica , Benthamidia japonica , Cynoxylon japonicum , Benthamia japonica , Cynoxylon kousa , Benthamia kousa , Cornus japonica , Cynoxylon sinensis , Dendrobenthamiia japonica

GBIF Accepted Name: Cornus kousa Bürger ex Hance