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ShrubsTreesSynonym

Cornus kousa var. chinensis 'Milky Way'

kousa 'Milky Way'

A robust, spreading small tree to 4 to 6m in height. Leaves dark green, ovate, pointed with good orange and red autumn colour. Large cream coloured petal-like bracts adjacent to one another smother the tree in masses in June and result in abundant strawberry-like fruit in autumn. Unless from the original 'mother-plant' of this cultivar, seedlings of this name might be variable.

Synonyms
Cornus kousa var. chinensis 'Milky Way'
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Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metres
Time to ultimate height
10–20 years
Ultimate spread
4–8 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring
Summer Cream Green Green
Autumn Orange Red Red
Winter Grey Silver Brown
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Cornaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy, Spreading branched
Genus

Cornus can be deciduous shrubs or trees, or creeping, woody-based perennials, some with brightly coloured young stems. Tiny flowers are borne in dense clusters, sometimes with showy bracts. Many have fine autumn colour

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained, neutral to acid soil in sun or light shade. For more advice, see flowering dogwood cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by semi-hardwood or hardwood cuttings or grafting

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Architectural
  • Low Maintenance
Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

Generally pest-free but may be susceptible to horse chestnut scale

Diseases

May be susceptible to cornus anthracnose and honey fungus

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