The Kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa), also known as Japanese or Chinese dogwood, is a small deciduous tree native to East Asia. It typically grows between 15 and 30 feet tall and is celebrated for its showy, star-shaped flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer, after the tree’s leaves have emerged. These creamy white bracts surround small greenish-yellow flowers at the center, creating a striking and elegant display. In autumn, the Kousa dogwood offers additional beauty with its deep red to purple foliage and distinctive raspberry-like red fruit, which is edible and attracts birds and wildlife.

Beyond its ornamental appeal, the Kousa dogwood is valued for its hardiness and disease resistance, particularly compared to the native flowering dogwood (Cornus florida), which is more susceptible to dogwood anthracnose. It thrives in well-drained soil with full sun to partial shade and is a popular choice for home gardens, patios, and landscape borders. Its graceful, layered branching structure gives it visual interest year-round, especially in winter when the bark exfoliates to reveal a mottled, patchy texture. With its multi-season beauty and resilience, the Kousa dogwood is both a practical and picturesque addition to a variety of landscapes.

Stop into any of our locations and allow one of our expertly trained nursery professionals to help you with your landscape design and show you how to incorporate beautiful trees like these into your yard.