Capitata, as is shown by the agglomerated fruits. Kousa Dogwood is a hardy plant, resistant to dogwood anthracnose disease, unlike its relative Cornus florida. It is also tolerant to cold, deer, dogwood anthracnose, dogwood borers, frost, and powdery mildew. It prefers well-drained, acidic soil and can thrive in full sun to partial shade.

Quick Reference Growing Guide

• Add a circle of organic mulch about 3 feet (1 m.) wide around the base of the tree to help retain moisture to the roots.
• Rake up fallen leaves after they drop.
• Kousa doesn’t require the concern over infestation and infection that, say, a C.

It is a broad, bushy tree that is particularly noted for its abundant flowers and showy fruit. It typically matures to 20’ tall and as wide. Flower bracts are creamy white and bloom in profusion in June. Berries are exceptionally large and are edible (inner custard-like consistency) off the plant. Fruits persist on the plants into fall past the point of foliage drop. Oval, pointed, dark green leaves (to 4” long) turn orange-red to scarlet in autumn.

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These berry-like fruits can reach a size of 2 inches if left on the tree cornus kousa for an extended period. The fruits are edible and have even been used in winemaking. However, they are primarily enjoyed by birds, making them a natural source of sustenance for local wildlife. Make sure the sites are situated at least 20 feet away from each other, and at least six feet away from natural hardscapes and man-made structures. In my opinion, these trees are too gorgeous to grow in less-than-optimal conditions.

Other Plants in the Flower Garden:

Kousa Dogwood, also known as Cornus kousa, is a small deciduous flowering tree or multi-stemmed shrub. It is native to East Asia, including Korea, China and Japan. Widely cultivated as an ornamental, it is naturalized in New York State.

• Along with its disease and pest resistance, C.
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• Chinensis is native to China and is commonly called Chinese dogwood.
• Oval, pointed leaves (to 4” long) are dark green, but usually turns attractive shades of reddish-purple to scarlet in autumn.
• There are a number of Kousa dogwood varieties, and the only basic difference is how each tree looks.

In This Online Garden

VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common pests and diseases. We occasionally link to goods offered by vendors to help the reader find relevant products. Some of these links may be affiliate in nature, meaning we earn small commissions if items are purchased. Selecting cultivars renowned for their resilience is another smart strategy. Kousa is its resistance to pests and pathogens.

But I have noticed a few smaller dark branches on one of the main stems with no growth. However, that same main stem has plenty of growth on top? Should I prune or just leave it for now?

Mottled, exfoliating, tan and gray bark is attractive in winter. Cultivar name suggests that the profuse bloom of flowers each year is suggestive of the billions of stars in the Milky Way. Oval, pointed leaves (to 4” long) are dark green.

Native of Japan, Korea, and Central China. Of the species that owe their beauty to their large showy bracts as distinct from the true flowers, this is the most promising for our climate. It is only likely to be confused in gardens with C. Florida, its East American ally, but its long slender-pointed bracts readily distinguish it. Botanically it is more nearly allied to C.

This plant is slow-growing, and actually prefers partial shade to full sun. Along with its diminutive size, ‘Wolf Eyes’ flaunts leaves edged with white that turn a stunning pink to red in fall. With ‘Moonbeam,’ you’ll have flowers twice as big as those of the standard species, with each bloom measuring seven to eight inches in diameter. Along with its disease and pest resistance, C. Kousa is valued in landscaping for its frost-resistance and relative cold hardiness. Four-pointed, football-shaped bracts encircle each cluster of true flowers, and these tend to pinken with age.