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Plant Profiles / Flowering & kousa dogwood

Photos: Wikimedia Commons

Feature treesOutdoorTreeFloweringAutumn colourPet friendly

Flowering & kousa dogwood

Cornus florida; C. kousa · Flowering dogwood, kousa dogwood, Chinese dogwood

Elegant small trees covered in showy white or pink bracts in spring, followed by red berries and rich autumn colour. A four-season feature for gardens and large pots.

Sun to part shadeLight

Weekly, keep moistWater

ModerateCare level

Care at a glance

Light

Sun to part shade

ShadeFull sun

Morning sun and afternoon shade suit them best. Kousa tolerates more sun than flowering dogwood.

Water

Weekly, keep moist

DryWet

Water deeply once a week, more often in hot weather. Mulch to keep roots cool.

Humidity

Average

LowHigh

Prefers humid summers but dislikes stagnant air.

Temperature

Hardy, -25–32°C (-13–90°F)

CoolWarm

Needs a winter chill. Protect from hot, drying winds.

Growth

Slow to moderate, small tree

SlowFast

Grows 5–8 m in the ground; 2–3 m in a large pot.

Soil

Rich, slightly acidic

LeanRich

Moist, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter.

Fertiliser

Light, spring

RarelyOften

A light slow-release feed in early spring.

Pet safety

Non-toxic

SafeToxic

Generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs; berries may cause mild upset if eaten in quantity.

About this plant

Flowering dogwood (C. florida) is native to eastern North America and blooms in spring before its leaves. Kousa dogwood (C. kousa), from East Asia, flowers a few weeks later with pointed bracts and is more disease resistant. Both have layered branches and red-purple autumn foliage.

Best spots

Courtyards, front gardens, woodland edges and large pots in sheltered spots with morning sun.

Plant facts

Botanical name	Cornus florida; C. kousa
Family	Cornaceae
Origin	Eastern North America (C. florida); East Asia (C. kousa)
Plant type	Deciduous small tree
Mature size	5–8 m
Growth rate	Slow to moderate
Foliage	Oval leaves, red-purple in autumn
Flowers	White or pink bracts in spring
Toxicity	Non-toxic to pets
Propagation	Softwood cuttings or grafting

Seasonal care calendar

Flowering

Active growth

Autumn colour

Prune

Fertilise

FloweringActive growthAutumn colourPruneFertilise

Based on Southern Hemisphere seasons.

Troubleshooting

Leaf spots and dying twigs	Dogwood anthracnose (mainly C. florida). Prune affected wood and improve airflow; choose kousa for resistance.
White powder on leaves	Powdery mildew. Improve airflow and water at the base.
Scorched leaf edges	Too much sun or dry soil. Mulch and water deeply.
Few flowers	Too much shade or a young tree.
Bark damage	Avoid mower and trimmer damage at the base.