Kousa Dogwood
Cornus kousa
A small deciduous tree or multi-stemmed shrub featuring opposite, dark green leaves with distinct curved veins, exfoliating bark on mature trunks, and a vase-shaped to rounded growth habit.
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
- Water
- Requires regular moisture, about 1 inch of water per week through rainfall or irrigation. Drought tolerance increases with age, but young trees need consistent watering to establish deep root systems.
- Growth
- A slow-to-moderate growing deciduous small tree or large shrub reaching a mature height and spread of 15 to 30 feet with an upright, spreading form.
Care instructions
Plant in full sun to partial shade with consistently moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Provide regular watering during dry spells, especially for young specimens, and apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Watering
Requires regular moisture, about 1 inch of water per week through rainfall or irrigation. Drought tolerance increases with age, but young trees need consistent watering to establish deep root systems.
Soil
Prefers rich, evenly moist, well-draining loams with a slightly acidic to neutral pH range of 5.5 to 6.5.
Hardiness zone
USDA Zones 5 through 8, demonstrating good winter cold tolerance down to -20 degrees Fahrenheit.
Growth habit
A slow-to-moderate growing deciduous small tree or large shrub reaching a mature height and spread of 15 to 30 feet with an upright, spreading form.
Bloom season
Blooms in late spring to early summer with prominent pointed bracts that are typically white or pinkish, surrounding small clustered flowers.
Propagation
Propagated primarily through semi-hardwood cuttings taken in summer or by planting seeds that have undergone a period of cold stratification.
Common pests & issues
Susceptible to powdery mildew, leaf spot, and dogwood anthracnose in humid conditions. Pests such as borers and scale insects can occasionally cause damage.
Similar species
Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida), which can be distinguished by indented, notched floral bracts that bloom before the leaves emerge, whereas the Kousa Dogwood has pointed bracts that appear after the leaves are fully developed.