kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

Kousa dogwood is an Asian tree grown in U.S. gardens and landscapes. In late spring, four pointed white leaves that look like petals surround a cluster of tiny flowers. It has edible, raspberry-like red fruit later in the year, colorful fall leaves, and mottled bark as it matures.

Appearance

Growth form: It usually grows 20–30 ft (6–9 m) tall as a small tree or a multi-stemmed shrub.
Flowers: Four pointed white or pinkish surround a tight cluster of tiny greenish-yellow flowers.
Flowering time: It flowers later in spring than the native flowering dogwood.
Fruit: Many small fruits fuse into one round, pinkish-red fruit about 1–1.5 in (2.5–4 cm) across. Songbirds use the ripe fruit.

Look-alikes

flowering dogwoodCornus florida

Kousa dogwood usually blooms later, after its leaves have expanded, and its bracts have pointed tips. Flowering dogwood usually blooms earlier and has rounded bracts with a notch at the tip.

Why they get mixed upBoth trees display four large bracts around a cluster of tiny flowers.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: home landscapes
woodland gardens
lawns and patios
Range: It is native from the Himalayas through temperate East Asia. In the United States it is grown as a landscape tree and has been recorded as introduced in Hawaii, Massachusetts, New York, and North Carolina.
Preferred conditions: It grows best in moist, well-drained, acidic to neutral soil in full sun or part shade. Afternoon shade and steady summer moisture help in hot areas.

Growing it

Care: It has better resistance to a dogwood disease called anthracnose than flowering dogwood, but dry soil in full sun can scorch the leaves.
Propagation: It can be propagated from seed, cuttings, or layering.

Name and classification

About the name: This species includes a Chinese and the subspecies native to Japan and Korea.
Varieties and forms: Garden selections can have pink bracts or leaves with pale margins.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: LCLeast ConcernLow risk of extinction

Culture and stories

Culture and stories: The ripe fruit is edible.

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