White Kousa Chinese Dogwood Tree (Multi Trunk)

Cornus kousa

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 5a-8b Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Deciduous Flowering Tree

Height at Maturity: 20-30′

Width at Maturity: 20-30′

Spacing: 15′ or more from home, structures, and other trees

Growth Habit / Form: Broad, Upright, Rounded

Growth Rate: Slow to Moderate

Flower Color: White followed by Pinkish-Red berries

Flower Size: 3-5″ in diameter

Flowering Period: Mid-Late Spring

Flower Type: Single

Fragrant Flowers: No

Foliage Color: Rich Green

Fragrant Foliage: No

Sun Needs: Morning Sun with Dappled or Afternoon Shade, All Day Filtered or Dappled Sun

Water Needs: Average, Low when established

Soil Type: Clay (Amend heavy clay to ensure good drainage), Loam, Sand, Silt

Soil Moisture / Drainage: Moist But Well Drained

Soil pH: 5.5 – 6.5 (Acidic to Moderately Acid)

Maintenance / Care: Very Low Maintenance, if any, when left in it’s natural form

Attracts: Visual Attention, Songbirds

Resistances: Deer – more info, Disease, Heat, Insects

Description

If you’ve been afraid to plant a Dogwood tree for fear of disease and/or borer problems, fear not. The dependable Cornus kousa, often called Chinese Dogwood, Japanese Dogwood or Kousa Dogwood, has demonstrated excellent resistance to both the dogwood borer and anthracnose disease. In some areas of the U.S., anthracnose has almost wiped out many of the native dogwoods, Cornus florida. Not only does Cornus kousa result in a tree with stronger vigor and resistance to insect and disease, it will look and grow better in full sun than other dogwood species.

This is the highly desirable multi-trunk version of the Kousa Dogwood, a multi-season color factory. In late spring it produces a profusion of 4-petalled, star-shaped flowers with pointed white petals that nearly cover the foliage. The flowers are followed by numerous clusters of berry-like fruits that mature to a pinkish red color in summer persisting through fall. Handsome foliage remains rich green, unblemished, and healthy throughout the entire warm season until leaves turn intense shades of scarlet to burgundy red in fall, hanging on the tree for a much longer color show than native dogwood species. For an even more spectacular springtime show, include a pink or red Dogwood tree in your garden. The pink and white flower combination is a wonderful sight to see!

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing 20 to 30 feet tall and equally as wide over time, the multi-trunk Kousa White Dogwood is ideal for use as a specimen or in groupings in sunny or shady landscape or woodland borders. Also nice to frame the corners of tall homes or to provide beauty and some shade around patios, porches and other outdoor living spaces. A fine addition to woodland gardens, white theme gardens, Asian theme gardens, wildlife gardens, and cottage gardens.

Suggested Spacing: 35′ or more for space between trees

Growing Preferences

Dogwood trees are adaptable to many soil types however prefer a moist but well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Though Dogwood trees will tolerate full sun, we think they look and perform best with some shade or filtered sun during the hottest part of summer afternoons. Constantly soggy or wet soils are problematic. Maintenance is minimal to none. Except to remove a stray or broken branch, no pruning is necessary.

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