Cornus kousa [Scarlet Fire] ('H 3 Dr 11 P21')

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kousa [Scarlet Fire]

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Synonyms

Cornus kousa 'H 3 Dr 11 P21'

Shrubs Trees
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A small, vigorous, vase-shaped tree to around 7m in height. Dark green elliptic pointed leaves turn shades of red in autumn. Remarkable as a very dark pink form. The petal-like elongated pointed bracts, deep pink to fuchshia, appear in profusion for many weeks from May to June. Spherical red strawberry-like fruit appear in the autumn.

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Cornaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy, Spreading branched
Genus
Cornus can be deciduous shrubs or trees, or creeping, woody-based perennials, some with brightly coloured young stems. Tiny flowers are borne in dense clusters, sometimes with showy bracts. Many have fine autumn colour
Name Status
Trade

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained, neutral to acid soil in sun or light shade. See cornus cultivation. For more advice, see Cornus cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by semi-hardwood or hardwood cuttings or grafting

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Architectural

Pruning

pruning group 1

Pests

Generally pest-free but may be susceptible to horse chestnut scale

Diseases

May be susceptible to cornus anthracnose