34 Arbor Age / April 2014 www.arborage.com
B y L e o n a r d P h i l l i p s ,
A S L A E m e r i t u s
Trade Name: Kousa Dogwood
Botanical Name: Cornus kousa
Parentage: Species introduced into the U.S.
Family: Cornaceae
Introduction: 1875
Hardiness Zone*: 5-8
Height: 20 to 30 feet
Spread: 20 to 30 feet
Growth Rate: Slow, 5 feet in 10 years
Form: Vase-shaped in youth, rounded
with age
Bloom Period: June
Flower: Creamy-white bracts surround
small, inconspicuous fl owers
Fruit: Pinkish-red drupe, 1/2-inch to
1-inch diameter
Spring Color: Mid-green
Summer Foliage: Dark green in summer
Autumn Foliage: Reddish-purple to
scarlet, persisting for 3 to 5 weeks
Winter Interest: Bark provides winter
interest
Bark: Exfoliating, multicolored gray, tan
or brown areas
Habitat: Grows well throughout most of
the U.S.
Culture: Prefers rich, moist, well-drained
sandy soil, full sun
Pest Problems: None serious
Storm Resistance: Good to excellent
Salt Tolerance: Good
Planting: Transplant bare root, B&B,
or by container, suitable for use in CU-
Structural Soil
Propagating: Softwood cuttings are best
Design Uses: Specimen for lawn, park
and residential
Companions: Use with evergreen
groundcovers
Other Comments: Excellent tree for
special locations, handsome small tree
Available From: Most retail nurseries
* For information about the USDA
Hardiness Zone Map, visit:
http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/
index.html
These are the personal observations of the
author, living in New England – Zone 6.
Leonard Phillips can be reached via e-mail
at lenphillips@on-line-seminars.com.
TREE OF THE MONTH
Kousa Kousa
Dogwood Dogwood
Photos provided by J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co.
