Kousa White Dogwood, Disease Resistant, 4 to 5 Feet Tall, Free Shipping, Asian Dogwood, White Flowers, Easter Gift, Spring Flowers

Kousa Dogwood is a deciduous tree that grows 15 - 30 feet tall and wide and provides interest in the landscape all year. It gains new leaves each spring, flowers in late spring or early summer, produces fruit in late summer and throughout the fall, changes foliage color in the fall, and exfoliates its bark in the winter. It is slow growing, taking 10 to 15 years to reach maturity, so it is a great small specimen for many years. It can be used like a shrub in its younger years because it grows up and out in a vase shape. As it matures, it begins branching and filling out. The branches grow horizontally, giving this tree a pyramid shape.
The Kousa Dogwood is native to Japan, Korea, and China and is a close relative of the North American dogwood. The name kousa is the Japanese name for this tree. Unlike the native variety of dogwood, blooms appear after this deciduous tree’s leaves grow. The flowers bloom in late spring, ranging in color from white to light pink. The blooms are long lasting, remaining for up to a month, because they are bracts, which are a form of leaf, instead of petals. They sit atop the foliage, so the dark green leaves create a lovely backdrop or bed for the flowers. There are four pointed bracts in each bloom; they look like small stars and seem just as numerous as the tree covers in blooms. The Kousa Dogwood’s blooms appear a month later than other dogwoods, so the varieties are a great paired in the landscape for a succession of blooms.
In late summer and into the fall, the Kousa Dogwood produces berries or “drupes” with a similar appearance to raspberries or wild strawberries. The fruit grows green, then develops into a rich red-pink hue. It is safe to eat, so there are no concerns with pets or children tasting them. The berries have a similar flavor to a ripe persimmon, and some people make jams and wine from the berries. The berries also attract birds to the garden. In the fall, the leaves transform to a burgundy color for several weeks, and as winter approaches, the bark exfoliates and shows multiple layers and tones. This tree is truly a year-round beauty.
Kousa Dogwood is cold hardier and less susceptible to diseases than its North American counterpart, making it a lower maintenance tree. It has minimal pruning needs; it only needs light pruning as it grows to shape it, remove dead or injured limbs, and keep good ventilation between branches. It should not be topped, as this will stunt and injury the tree. It grows in zones 5 – 8 and resists diseases, pests, and deer. It lives at least 50 years and can live up to 150 years. It does best in full sun or partial sun, preferring some light shade in the afternoon. It thrives in acidic, well-drained soils with moderate watering and good air circulation. Mulch will help protect the roots and retain moisture. This tree is attractive as a specimen, near a patio, or as part of a border accent. From its plentiful blooms and red-pink berries to its rich fall colors and exfoliating bark, it is sure to be a star in the landscape throughout the year.