Kousa Dogwood

About

You’ll adore the beauty, adaptability, and long flowering time of the Kousa Dogwood. It is renowned at the “ultimate garden tree” because it is a combination of all the best qualities of smaller trees and is a breathtaking statement in any garden or property. It flowers in May-June, about 2 or 3 weeks later than the traditional American dogwood with an array of star-like blooms. “Flowers” are actually a misnomer because the pale pinkish-white “petals” are modified leaves called brackets that surround the small, greenish-yellow, insignificant flowers. In late summer and fall, strawberry-like fruits hang from the branches which are favorites to songbirds and squirrels. Then in fall the branches are covered by the rich colors of orange, gold, and red. The Kousa is also tougher than the native flowering dogwoods when it comes to disease and pests. Look for a partially shaded spot for this beauty, preferably with a minimum of four hours of direct, unfiltred sunlight each day.