Flowering Dogwood Trees are among the most spectacular floweringtrees there are, and they are top choices for any garden. Grown as a lawnspecimen, planted as background trees for your garden, or grown along thefringes of wooded areas, their spring and early summer blooming is a fantasticseasonal highlight, and lasts for several weeks. Some have attractive fruit,with amazing fall colors too, and their graceful branching makes them beautifulin summer, when they are clothed in green.
In some parts of the country local wild populations have been devastated by disease, which has spread to garden trees too, so its understandable that you might be uncertain of how to get the best out of these great plants. Let’s try to help, with a guide to what to look for when choosing a dogwood tree for your own garden.
The classic ‘flowers’ of the dogwood tree are white, but there are other choices too. In this tree the true flowers are not showy – it is modified leaves called bracts that make the large, spreading ‘petals’ of the blooms. Besides the delicious creamy white that sets the standard for them, breeding and selection have given us a whole range of colors from pale pink to near-red, so consider choosing a colorful variety. If you have the space in your garden, then a mix of colors will create an unbeatable display. The American dogwood is available in lots of colors, and so are the hybrid trees. Asian dogwoods are mostly white, and the pinks and reds that do exist can fade as the flowers age, so for strong color choosing an American or hybrid tree is usually best.
Most flowering dogwood trees develop into broad, spreadingplants with layered branching. With either a single short trunk, or several mainstems of equal sizes, mature trees are usually at least as broad as they aretall, and often wider. Most trees fall in the range of 15 to 30 feet tall andwide, so when choosing a planting spot, be sure to allow enough room for thatmature spread. Not providing enough room for trees is the most common mistakeseen in new gardens, so use a tape to check if you have given your new tree thespace it needs.
If a full-sized tree is more than your garden can handle,don’t despair, as many of the newer, hybrid trees are significantly smaller,and trees in the 12 to 18-foot range are readily available. Take a look at thespace you have, so that when browsing for a tree you can look at the sizes andchoose something that will fit.
The fact that there are three or four possible types ofdogwood you can grow, with different characteristics and different floweringtimes, causes some confusion, but it’s worth understanding. By choosing appropriatelyyou can enjoy almost 3 months of dogwoods blooming in your garden. The Americannative dogwood, which is often the most common in gardens as well, is Cornusflorida. This is also the first to flower, usually in April, doing it onbare branches. Flowers last for about 3 weeks, with the leaves emerging as theyfade. At the other end of the season is the Chinese dogwood, Cornus kousavar. chinensis. This tree produces its leaves first, and only when theyare fully open, by early summer, does the tree flower. Usually blooming is sospectacular that the leaves are almost hidden by the flowers.
In between are the hybrid trees (correctly called Cornusx rutgersensis), which are crossed between the American and Chinese species,created over a 50-year period at Rutgers University by Professor Elwin Orton, mainlyfor disease resistance. They bloom after the leaves, but earlier, so theynicely bridge the gap between the American tree and its Chinese cousin. Theyhave become much more widely planted following the destruction of so many treesby the fungal disease ‘dogwood anthracnose’, because of their resistance to bothit and the less harmful, but unsightly, powdery mildew.
For something different we should also mention the HimalayanDogwood (Cornus capitata subsp. angustata), which blooms late, in June, and hasthe added feature of holding its red fall leaves all winter, at least as farnorth as Philadelphia, and so being effectively evergreen.
When it comes to ornamental flowering trees, dogwoods are a popular choice for gardens and landscapes. Two of the most common dogwood species are the native white dogwood (Cornus florida) and the Asian kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa). While they share some similarities, there are key differences between kousa dogwood and white dogwood. In this article, we’ll compare traits like flowers, fruit, size, and care needs to help you determine which dogwood is better for your yard.
An Overview of Dogwood Trees
Dogwoods belong to the genus Cornus and are cherished for their showy spring blooms surrounded by decorative bracts. They are small understory trees that provide multi-season interest. Planting a dogwood is an easy way to add color, texture and wildlife value to your garden.
The white dogwood is native across Eastern North America. It thrives in moist, well-draining soil and dappled shade. Meanwhile, the kousa dogwood hails from Asia. It adapts readily to varying conditions from full sun to partial shade if kept well watered. Kousa is also more disease resistant than white dogwood.
When comparing kousa vs white dogwood, pay attention to their differences in flowers, fruit, size, maintenance needs, and ornamental qualities. This will help you select the right species for your specific needs.
Flowers and Blooming Time
One of the most notable differences between these two dogwoods is their flowering habit,
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The white dogwood blooms in early to mid spring with showy white (sometimes pink) bracts surrounding tiny flowers. The four notched bracts provide a star shape.
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Kousa dogwood flowers 2-3 weeks after white dogwood. Its blooms have pointed, overlapping bracts in creamy white with a yellow-green center.
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Flowering dogwood blossoms before leaf emergence, while kousa dogwood leaves unfurl as the flowers open.
So if you want dramatic early spring blooms, white dogwood is the better choice. For late spring flowers, go with kousa dogwood.
Fruit Structure and Production
The fruit of kousa and white dogwood also differs:
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White dogwood produces vibrant spherical red fruit clusters that ripen in early fall. Birds relish the berries.
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Kousa dogwood bears larger strawberry-like fused fruit that ripens pinkish-red in late summer. Wildlife tend to leave them uneaten so they drop messily.
If fruiting ability for birds and pollinators is important, white dogwood is superior. Kousa has less wildlife value but unique fruit.
Mature Size, Form, and Foliage
In terms of size and shape, kousa and white dogwood share some similarities but also key differences:
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White dogwood is a small understory tree, maturing at 15-30 feet tall and wide in an oval to rounded shape.
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It has light green elliptical leaves that turn stunning reddish-purple in fall.
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Kousa dogwood also reaches 15-30 feet tall and wide at maturity but in a more upright vase-shaped form.
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Its leaves are pointed and dark green, turning inconsistent reddish in autumn.
So while both are small ornamental trees, white dogwood has a fuller, spreading form compared to upright kousa.
Ornamental Attributes
Beyond spring blooms, both dogwoods offer year-round visual appeal:
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White dogwood has reddish fall foliage, blue early fall fruit, and a striking winter silhouette. It also supports pollinators with its nectar-rich flowers.
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Kousa dogwood offers summer blooms, cinnamon-hued exfoliating bark, and large red fruit in late summer. It has less wildlife value but textured bark.
For multi-season ornamental beauty, most gardeners prefer white dogwood. But kousa dogwood adds its own unique touches like late summer flowers and peeling bark.
Site Conditions and Care Needs
When it comes to preferred growing conditions, there are some notable differences:
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White dogwood does best in rich, moist, well-draining soil and partial sun to light shade. It needs supplemental water during drought. Prune when dormant.
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Kousa dogwood adapts to varying moisture levels, light conditions, and soil types including clay or sandy soils. It tolerates drought and full sun better than white dogwood. Prune in late winter.
So kousa dogwood is the lower maintenance option suitable for challenging sites. White dogwood requires more specific conditions to thrive.
Availability and Disease Resistance
Unfortunately, white dogwood has been severely impacted by dogwood anthracnose, a fungal disease that can kill the tree. As a result:
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White dogwood cultivars like ‘Cherokee Princess’ and ‘Cloud 9’ have been bred for disease resistance and are again widely available.
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Meanwhile, kousa dogwood shows natural resistance to anthracnose. It has long been substituted for white dogwood with varieties like ‘Milky Way’ and ‘Summer Fun’.
So in areas prone to anthracnose, kousa dogwood is the safer choice requiring less chemical treatment.
Growth Rate and Mature Size
When it comes to growth habit, these two dogwoods differ:
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White dogwood is slow growing, reaching its mature size in about 20 years. Occasional corrective pruning is needed to maintain its form.
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Kousa dogwood has a more vigorous growth rate. It may exceed its expected size dimensions and needs frequent pruning to control shape.
So for a slower growing ornamental specimen, choose white dogwood. If you want fast fill-in, go with kousa dogwood.
Wildlife Support
As a native species, the white dogwood naturally supports a wide array of moths, butterflies, and birds as food and habitat.
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Over 117 species of native caterpillars feed on white dogwood. The spring flowers offer nectar for pollinators while fall berries provide food for migrating birds.
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Since kousa dogwood is non-native with less palatable fruit, it has minimal wildlife value in North America.
If you want to support bees, butterflies, and birds, white dogwood is the clear winner. Kousa dogwood does not benefit native species as significantly.
Kousa Dogwood vs White Dogwood: Final Recommendations
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For impressive early spring blooms, red fall berries, and wildlife support, select white dogwood. It thrives with adequate moisture and light shade.
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Where disease resistance and adaptability are priorities, non-native kousa dogwood is a better pick. It works in challenging conditions.
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If you want summer flowers and ornamental bark, kousa dogwood offers visual interest longer into the year.
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For smaller gardens, choose white dogwood for its moderately slower, more compact growth habit.
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Give kousa dogwood space to grow to its full upright size of 20-30 feet. Prune it diligently to control shape.
With their decorative flowers and multi-season appeal, both dogwood species make excellent specimen trees. Carefully compare their respective strengths to determine which is better suited to your specific climate, soil, space, and needs. Consult local tree experts for advice on the top performers for your growing zone. With proper site selection and care, kousa and white dogwood can bring enduring beauty to gardens and landscapes.
Choose It for the Spotin Your Garden
The ideal location for a dogwood tree is partial shade,similar to the places in woodlands that are where they naturally live. If youare in cooler zones, or have generally moist soil, then full sun is perfectlyfine, and will probably produce more flowers and better fall color. Richersoils, but well-drained, are ideal, and while acid soils are best, these treesare adaptable, and only very alkaline soils are unsuitable. Location should notjust be about what the plant needs, because with a beautiful specimen tree youwant to be able to see it to, so consider the view from windows, especially forthe earlier American dogwood, or from terraces and well-used parts of thegarden.
Don’t Forget Fall and Winter
While flowers are the big feature with dogwood trees, don’tforget that they also have wonderful fall colors. There is some variationbetween different varieties, so it is worth adding it to your considerations.Fall color varies from very dark reds to brighter oranges – always lovely, butit depends on your personal taste.
Tree bark is always a winter feature, and with dogwoods itcan vary. The Chinese dogwood is especially notable, since it has beautifulbark that sheds (‘exfoliates’), revealing camouflage patterns of gray, tan,brown and khaki. The American tree is noted for its ‘crocodile’ bark, which isdark gray and split into small hexagonal plates. This bark difference is also goodfor recognition. Bark on hybrid trees is usually of the Chinese type.
5 Favorite Flowering Dogwood Trees | NatureHills.com
FAQ
Is kousa dogwood a messy tree?
Because of the dropping fruit, dogwood trees are considered messy. For example, the popular kousa dogwood tree is high-maintenance due to the necessary clean-up of its falling fruits.
How many years does it take for a kousa dogwood to bloom?
Dogwoods often take five to seven years before they begin to bloom in earnest.
Is kousa dogwood invasive in the US?
Today, the kousa is now considered invasive in the state of New Jersey, as some researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst believe there is often a lag between when a species is introduced and the time it takes to be invasive.
What is the difference between Kousa dogwood and flowering dogwood?
Native to China, Japan, and Korea, the kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa) is very similar to the flowering dogwood. The first difference you will notice is that the leaves appear before the flowers, and the tree flowers a couple of weeks later than the flowering dogwood.
What is a Kousa dogwood tree?
Native to China, Japan, and Korea, the kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa) is very similar to the flowering dogwood. The first difference you will notice is that the leaves appear before the flowers, and the tree flowers a couple of weeks later than the flowering dogwood. How big does a Kousa dogwood tree get?
When does a Kousa dogwood Bloom?
Plant a Kousa dogwood to give your backyard garden the same magnificence of an arboretum. These flowering trees can bloom from late winter to late summer, and fall ushers in a season of stunning fall colors. Learn more about Kousa dogwood varieties. What Is a Kousa Dogwood?
Does Kousa dogwood grow in shade?
Although Kousa dogwood with all its varieties is not native to North America, it has adapted well to moderate Growing Zones. It can tolerate different types of soil and will thrive in partial shade when full sunlight is not available. The tree prefers slightly acidic soil. High pH levels can impact its foliage and blooms. Is Kousa dogwood edible?
Are Kousa dogwoods poisonous?
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.
Is Kousa dogwood a good substitute for white dogwood?
Kousa dogwood naturally resists anthracnose disease. It has long been a substitute for white dogwood in landscapes. Kousa cultivars like ‘Milky Way,’ ‘Prophet,’ and ‘Scarlet Fire’ offer variety. White dogwood grows at a moderate pace, reaching its mature size in about 20 years. Occasional pruning is needed to maintain an attractive form.