Kousa Dogwood
Cornus kousa
Kousa dogwood is an elegant small tree with pointed white bracts in late spring, raspberry-like edible fruit, and striking exfoliating bark. It is more disease-resistant than the native flowering dogwood.
- Light
- Full sun to part shade
- Water
- Weekly; consistent moisture
- Difficulty
- Easy
Got a plant like this?
Identify any plant from a photo, free.
Overview
Kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa) is a deciduous small tree native to East Asia, grown for its four-season interest: showy late-spring 'flowers,' ornamental pink-red fruit, fine fall color, and mottled exfoliating bark. The true flowers are tiny, surrounded by four pointed creamy-white (sometimes pink) bracts.
Blooming a few weeks later than the native flowering dogwood, it carries its bracts above the foliage on horizontal branches. It is widely favored because it resists the dogwood anthracnose and borers that trouble Cornus florida.
How to identify it
- Habit: Vase-shaped when young, maturing to a rounded horizontal canopy, 15-30 ft tall.
- Bracts: Four pointed (not notched) white-to-pink bracts in late spring, held above the leaves.
- Leaves: Opposite, oval, 2-4 in, with curving veins; rich red-purple fall color.
- Fruit: Round, raspberry-like pink to red aggregate fruit, 1 in, edible, ripening late summer.
- Bark: Distinctive mottled, exfoliating tan-and-gray jigsaw pattern on older trunks.
Care & growing
Light: Full sun to partial shade; afternoon shade helps in hot regions.
Water: Keep consistently moist, about weekly; not drought-tolerant when young.
Soil: Rich, well-drained, slightly acidic soil high in organic matter.
Temperature: Hardy USDA zones 5-8.
Feeding: Light spring feeding; mulch to keep roots cool and moist.
Pruning/Propagation: Needs little pruning. Propagate from seed (stratified) or softwood cuttings.
Habitat & origin
Native to Japan, Korea and China, where it grows as an understory and woodland-edge tree in temperate forests and mountains.
Introduced to Western gardens in the 19th century, it is now a popular ornamental across temperate North America and Europe, often chosen as a disease-resistant alternative to native dogwoods.
Uses & benefits
A premier four-season ornamental specimen or patio tree, valued for late spring bloom, edible fruit, fall color and showy bark. It is excellent near patios and entries because of its modest size.
The raspberry-like fruit is edible, with sweet custard-like flesh (gritty skin usually discarded), and is enjoyed fresh or in preserves. Birds and wildlife also relish the fruit, and the flowers support pollinators.
Frequently asked questions
Is kousa dogwood fruit edible?
Yes. The soft, sweet pulp is edible and pleasant; most people discard the gritty skin and seeds.
How is it different from flowering dogwood?
Kousa has pointed (not notched) bracts, blooms later, bears raspberry-like fruit, has exfoliating bark, and resists anthracnose better.
Is it safe for pets?
Yes, kousa dogwood is considered non-toxic.
Why are my tree's leaves scorching?
Usually heat and dry soil. Provide afternoon shade, mulch, and consistent moisture in hot climates.
Kousa Dogwood guides
In-depth guides for identifying, growing, and caring for Kousa Dogwood.
