Kousa Dogwood – Cornus Kousa
Description
General: One of our favorite small deciduous trees. This tree has something to offer in every season. It is vase shaped and grows to 30′ in height with a 20′ spread.
Leaves: 2-4″ long, ovate, dark green in summer turning scarlet in the fall.
Fruit: A tasty drupe that turns a nice dark pink and is conspicuous from August on or until eaten by wildlife.
Flowers: The flower of the Kousa dogwood is normally confused for the four white bracts that are narrowly pointed petal-like (3-5” across) that surround the center cluster of the true flower which are insignificant and yellowish-green in color.
Bark: Older bark exfoliates in irregular patches that produce multi-colors of grays and browns
Attributes: Good size for the average yard, easy to care for, pretty leaf and long lasting flower, beautiful fall foliage, interesting bark and horizontal branching pattern seen in winter.
Culture
Hardiness: Zone 5 to 8
Growing Conditions: Prefers acidic, well-drained soil and sunny to light shade conditions though will flower more abundantly and have nicer fall color in a sunny location. Not drought tolerant.
Maintenance: Minimal pruning and no insect or disease problems. Cornus kousa is resistant to the dogwood anthracnose disease that can affect Cornus florida.
Transplanting: Balled and burlapped in early spring or from container as a young tree. Deep watering once a week until established. A good rule of thumb is to take care of the watering needs of newly planted trees one year for each inch of trunk caliper. After this period of time the tree should be established and should only need watering during times of drought.
Our Experience
Experience at Great Hill
This is a very easy tree to take care of and enjoy. We grow several nice cultivars including a pretty pink one called ‘Satomi’. The flowers develop after the leaves. The showy parts of the flower are the 4 bracts that persist up to 6 weeks. The effect is a strikingly pleasant contrast of milky white bracts against dark green leaves. They are in full bloom here mid to late June.
Historical Winter Data:
Florida Dogwood – Cornus florida
Description
General: A small, low branched tree with horizontal branches and a flat crown. Often wider than it is tall at maturity. Typically grows 20’ in height but is capable of reaching 30-40’.
Leaves: Opposite, simple and oval, 3 to 6” long. Bronze to yellow green when unfolding maturing to dark green in the summer and red to reddish purple in the fall.
Flowers: ¼” true flowers are a greenish yellow surrounded by 4 white showy bracts 4” across. Flowers April to May either before leaf emergence or while leaves develop.
Fruit: A cluster of glossy red drupes ½” long from September to October. Enjoyed by many bird species.
Bark: Grayish brown to black blocks resembling an alligators back.
Attributes: Used as a specimen tree with four seasons of interest (bark, flower, fruit and fall color) Can also be used in groupings or in parks.
Culture
Hardiness: Zones 5-9.
Growing Conditions: Prefers a well drained, moist, acidic soil high in organic matter. Part shade to full sun.
Maintenance: Highly susceptible to a number of insect pests as well as diseases. Stressors such as pollution, heat, drought or cold only increase likelihood of disease development. Anthracnose, mildews, leaf spots and rusts, blights, cankers and bacterial diseases and borer…to name a few…
Transplanting: Transplants well if proper cultural requirements are met.
Our Experience
Experience at Great Hill
We have two mature cornus florida on the landscape. The white cultivar, “Alba”, flowers well most seasons, but, our pink cultivar “Rubra” leaves much to be desired in flower 3 seasons out of 5. As this tree is susceptible to so many diseases, and so intolerant of stress, it’s a gamble to purchase and showcase. Great care has to be made in placement and cultivar selection in order to reap any aesthetic benefit.
2023
Cornus Bloom Data 2023
| Plant Name | Bud Break | Full Bloom | Bloom Drop |
|---|---|---|---|
| florida 'Alba' | April 17 | May 10 | May 27 |
| florida 'Rubra' | April 19 | May 10 | May 24 |
| x 'Rutgan' Stellar Pink | May 8 | May 18 | June 7 |
| x 'Rutcan' Aurora | April 26 | May 17 | June 8 |
| x 'Rutcan' Constellation | April 26 | May 17 | June 8 |
| kousa 'Heart Throb' | May 15 | June 5 | June 23 |
| kousa 'Satomi' | May 10 | June 4 | July 9 |
| kousa 'Moon Beam' | May 13 | June 3 | June 27 |
| kousa 'Summer Majesty' | May 13 | June 9 | June 27 |
| kousa 'Ticknor's Choice' | May 11 | June 6 | July 2 |
| kousa 'Wolfs Eye' | May 12 | June 8 | July 6 |
| kousa 'Big Apple' | May 14 | June 10 | July 6 |
2022
Cornus Bloom Data 2022
| Plant Name | Bud Break | Full Bloom | Bloom Drop |
|---|---|---|---|
| florida 'Alba' | May 4 | May 16 | May 29 |
| florida 'Rubra' | May 3 | May 14 | June 1 |
| x 'Rutgan' Stellar Pink | May 9 | June 1 | June 18 |
| x 'Rutcan' Aurora | May 7 | May 23 | June 18 |
| x 'Rutcan' Constellation | May 5 | May 18 | June 11 |
| kousa 'Heart Throb' | May 12 | June 8 | June 28 |
| kousa 'Satomi' | May 14 | June 8 | July 4 |
| kousa 'Moon Beam' | May 9 | June 6 | June 27 |
| kousa 'Summer Majesty' | May 14 | June 9 | June 27 |
| kousa 'Ticknor's Choice' | May 11 | June 6 | July 2 |
| kousa 'Wolfs Eye' | May 12 | June 8 | July 6 |
| kousa 'Big Apple' | May 14 | June 10 | July 6 |