Cornus kousa subsp. kousa, commonly known as Kousa Dogwood, is a deciduous small tree or large shrub native to forest margins, open woodlands, and mountainous regions of Japan and Korea. It typically grows to a height of 20-25 feet (6-8 meters) and a width of 15-20 feet (5-6 meters), with a vase-shaped habit when young, maturing into a more rounded form. The Kousa Dogwood is renowned for its exfoliating bark, which peels back to reveal mottled patterns of tan, gray, and brown, and its showy white to pinkish bracts that surround small greenish-yellow flowers, blooming in late spring to early summer. The flowers are followed by berry-like fruits that mature to a pinkish-red in late summer and are a food source for birds.

This species is valued for its extended period of interest, with four-season appeal including spring flowers, summer fruits, and reddish-purple fall foliage. It is resistant to many of the diseases that affect native North American dogwoods, making it a popular choice for residential landscapes, as a specimen or border plant. Kousa Dogwood thrives in full sun to part shade and prefers well-drained, acidic to neutral soil. It is relatively low-maintenance but benefits from mulching and occasional watering during dry periods. While it is not typically invasive, it can spread in the landscape by self-seeding.CC BY-SA 4.0