Cornus kousa, kousa dogwood
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Broadleaf Deciduous Trees

Cornus kousa

kousa dogwood

CornaceaeJapan, Korea, and central China

At a Glance

TypeTree
HabitSpreading
FoliageDeciduous
Height15-30 feet (4.5-9 m)
Width15-30 feet (4.5-9 m)
Maturity18 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

5 - 9
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Drought Tolerant
Maintenancevery low

Overview

Cornus kousa (kousa dogwood) is a small to medium deciduous tree native to Japan, Korea, and China, reaching 15–30 feet (4.5–9 m) tall and 15–30 feet (4.5–9 m) wide over many decades. It is widely considered the superior dogwood for Pacific Northwest gardens — substantially more resistant to dogwood anthracnose (Discula destructiva) than Cornus florida, an equally beautiful four-season ornamental, and an excellent PNW performer. Several key features distinguish it from C. florida: it blooms in late May through June, 3–4 weeks after C. florida and well after the leaves have emerged, so the creamy-white bracts rise above a canopy of green foliage; the bracts are pointed at the tip (not notched); the bloom period lasts 4–6 weeks (longer than C. florida); and it produces large, pendulous, raspberry-like composite fruits 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) in diameter in August through September that are edible — the skin is tough but the interior is custard-like and moderately sweet. A third outstanding feature develops only on trees 10–15 years old: the bark begins to exfoliate in irregular patches, revealing a mosaic of tan, gray, silver, and cinnamon-brown that is one of the finest bark textures of any small ornamental tree. Fall foliage is burgundy-red to scarlet. Great Plant Picks endorsed. The variety C. kousa var. chinensis (Chinese dogwood) is often larger-bracted and more vigorous than the Japanese type.

Native Range

Native to Japan, Korea, and central China in open woodland margins and scrubby hillsides at low to moderate elevations. Introduced to western horticulture in the late 19th century.

Suggested Uses

The recommended dogwood for Pacific Northwest gardens — Great Plant Picks endorsed. Provides an outstanding four-season display: pointed white bracts above green foliage in June, deep red composite fruits attracting birds in August through September, burgundy-scarlet fall foliage, and — on mature specimens — exceptional patchwork exfoliating bark visible through winter. Suitable as a specimen, patio tree, or small street tree in well-drained sites. Plant where the bark of mature trees can be appreciated up close. The fruiting display in August through September fills a gap when few other small trees are ornamentally active. Cultivars offer variety: var. chinensis is larger and more vigorous; 'Milky Way' is heavy-flowering; 'Satomi' has pink bracts; 'Wolf Eyes' has variegated foliage.

How to Identify

Distinguished from Cornus florida by bracts that are pointed at the tip (not notched), flowers that emerge in June above the fully open leaves (not before or with leaves), and a longer bloom period of 4–6 weeks. Large pendulous raspberry-like composite fruits 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) in August through September are diagnostic — C. florida fruits are small, clustered, and oval, not large composite spheres. On trees 10+ years old, the exfoliating patchwork bark in tan, gray, and cinnamon-brown is immediately recognizable. Same opposite leaves with parallel curved venation as other dogwoods.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height15' - 30'
Width/Spread15' - 30'

Reaches mature size in approximately 18 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white
pink

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

red
orange

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~5 weeks
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SpringSummer
Blooms late May through June — 3–4 weeks after Cornus florida — with four pointed white (aging to cream or pink-tinged) bracts per flower head held above the canopy of green leaves. The bloom period lasts 4–6 weeks, significantly longer than C. florida's 2–3 weeks. Large composite fruits 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) develop through July and ripen to deep red-pink in August through September, attracting birds. In fall, foliage turns burgundy-red to scarlet.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

creamy white bracts (pointed tip), aging to cream or pink-tinged

Foliage Description

medium green in summer; burgundy-red to scarlet in fall

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Requires 3-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 6.5(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamsilt
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

15-20 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

One of the most reliable and rewarding ornamental trees for Pacific Northwest gardens. Plant in full sun to part shade in well-drained, slightly acidic, humus-rich soil. Substantially more tolerant of PNW conditions than Cornus florida — significantly more resistant to dogwood anthracnose, more heat-tolerant, and reliable in the range of PNW garden settings. Provide consistent moisture through establishment; once established, moderate drought tolerance. Mulch over the root zone. The exfoliating bark feature develops gradually — most pronounced on trees 15 years and older. Edible fruits attract birds; ripe fruits dropped on paving can create a slip hazard near paths. No significant pests or diseases in PNW conditions.

Pruning

Prune after flowering (June through August) or in late summer — avoid late winter through spring pruning when wounds may weep. Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches at the collar. The naturally tiered form requires minimal corrective pruning. Avoid removing major limbs as wounds on this genus are slow to seal. Lower branches can be removed gradually over several years to raise the canopy for clearance if needed.

Pruning Schedule

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Maintenance Level

very low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic