Chinese Dogwood

(Cornus kousa var. chinensis)

Chinese Dogwood (Cornus kousa var. chinensis)

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Estimated Native Range
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Summary

Cornus kousa var. chinensis, commonly known as Chinese Dogwood, is a deciduous tree native to forest margins, open woodlands, and mountainous regions of China and Taiwan. It typically grows to a height and width of 15-30 feet (5-9 meters), featuring a rounded habit with horizontal branching. The tree is renowned for its exfoliating bark and its showy, star-shaped flowers which bloom in late spring to early summer. The flowers are actually bracts that start off green, then change to white, and sometimes transition to pink. It produces ornamental red berries in the fall, which are attractive to birds.

Chinese Dogwood is valued for its four-season interest, including spring flowers, summer fruit, and reddish-purple fall foliage. It is used in a variety of landscape settings, such as specimen plantings, mixed borders, and as a focal point in residential gardens. It prefers well-drained, acidic to neutral soil and can tolerate part shade, though it flowers best in full sun. While generally low-maintenance, it can be susceptible to dogwood anthracnose and powdery mildew. It is also resistant to the dogwood borer, an advantage over some other dogwood species.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

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

Growth Requirements

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

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, 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., Fragrant, Hummingbird Garden, Rabbit Resistant, Showy Flowers, Street Planting

Natural Habitat

Forest margins, open woodlands, and mountainous regions of China, Korea, and Taiwan

Other Names

Common Names:

Scientific Names: , Cornus kousa var. chinensis, Cornus kousa subsp. chinensis, Dendrobenthamia japonica var. chinensis, Benthamidia japonica var. chinensis, Dendrobenthamia japonica var. leucotricha, Dendrobenthamia japonica var. huaxiensis, Cornus kousa var. yaeyamensis, Cornus kousa var. leucotricha, Cynoxylon pseudokousa

GBIF Accepted Name: Cornus kousa subsp. chinensis (Osborn) Q.Y.Xiang