Cornus kousa var. chinensis
Chinese dogwood
Large, free-flowering deciduous shrub or small tree to 7m tall, with long, pointed, wavy-margined dark green leaves turning crimson-purple in autumn. Small green flowers produced in flowerheads surrounded by 4 large creamy-white bracts to 5cm in length, in early summer followed by fleshy, deep pink, strawberry-like fruits
Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
4–8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Neutral, AlkalineColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green Cream White | Green | ||
| Autumn | Red Purple | Pink | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Cornaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- 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
Correct
- Plant range
- China, Japan, Korea
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil in sun or light shade, best in neutral to acid soils but tolerant of alkaline conditions. For more advice, see flowering dogwood cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings or hardwood cuttings or grafting
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
Pruning
Pests
Generally pest-free but may be susceptible to horse chestnut scale
Diseases
May be susceptible to cornus anthracnose and honey fungus
Get involved
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