5 Kousa Dogwood Varieties: How to Grow Kousa Dogwoods

Kousa dogwood is the common name for Cornus kousa, a type of small or medium-sized deciduous tree. It is native to China, Japan, and Korea and is sometimes referred to as Japanese or Chinese dogwood tree. Kousa dogwoods are commonly imported to North America because of their superior disease resistance compared to the continent’s native flowering dogwood trees; many North American dogwoods are susceptible to a lethal fungal disease called dogwood anthracnose. C. kousa is known for producing showy flowers, attractive red fruits, and dark green leaves. The fall season brings fall colors of yellow, orange, and red. In winter, the exfoliating bark peels away to reveal attractive shades of tan or gray.

There are several popular cultivars, or cultivated varieties, of Kousa dogwood trees.

1. 1. ‘Gold Star’: ‘Gold Star’ is a variegated Chinese dogwood variety. Its green leaves have a splash of yellow at their center, making them an attractive garden focal point. In mid to late spring, white flowers cover the ‘Gold Star’ tree.
2. 2. ‘Satomi’: The ‘Satomi’ dogwood is a showstopper. In late spring, this tree explodes with showy pink flowers and bracts. From early to mid-fall, it produces pinkish-red berries that attract pollinators.
3. 3. ‘Stellar Pink’: As the name would suggest, this dogwood tree is bursting with pink flower-like bracts. In early spring, blush pink bracts emerge from small flower clusters. The bracts are large and elegantly overlap one another.
4. 4. ‘Milkyway’: In late spring, this Kousa variety blooms with showy white flowers with white bracts atop green foliage. From early fall to mid-fall, it’s bejeweled with pink berries that attract pollinators. It’s a small tree, reaching a mature height of about fifteen feet. It also boasts impressive fall colors as its foliage turns bright right at the end of the growing season.
5. 5. ‘Wolf Eyes’: ‘Wolf Eyes’ Kousa is a small tree with variegated leaf colors. Its narrow leaves are light green with creamy white edges. In late spring, it blooms beautiful white flowers for about six weeks. It’s best planted in full sun and well-draining soil in USDA hardiness zones five to eight.

Dogwood trees are low-maintenance plants that grow well in USDA hardiness zones five through nine. Consider the following factors when growing your own Kousa dogwood tree.

1. 1. Plant your dogwood tree in part shade. Although dogwood trees can survive in full sun, most species thrive in partial shade with filtered light. Dogwood trees are understory trees that live well surrounded by taller trees or other shrubs.
2. 2. Fertilize your soil. Depending on the health of your soil, consider using a nitrogen-rich fertilizer. Dogwood trees do best in slightly acidic soil with an abundance of organic matter.
3. 3. Water your dogwood tree regularly. Water your dogwood tree immediately after planting. Continue watering once or twice a week until your plant is fully established. Water more often if your specific dogwood plant lives in an arid climate.
4. 4. Add a layer of mulch. Place mulch around the base of your dogwood tree to keep moisture in the soil. Leave a few inches of space around the trunk of the tree to prevent rotting.
5. 5. Prune your dogwood tree. If your dogwood tree species requires pruning, cut branches in late winter to early spring when the tree is dormant. Keep an eye out for diseases like dogwood anthracnose and powdery mildew. If you notice disease, prune back infected branches immediately.
6. 6. Keep an eye on pests. Avoid damaging the bark of your dogwood tree as this leaves it more vulnerable to dogwood borer insects. Use a natural insecticide on any infested areas on your dogwood tree.

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