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Cornus kousa var. chinensis

Chinese dogwood

Large, free-flowering deciduous shrub or small tree to 7m tall, with long, pointed, wavy-margined dark green leaves turning crimson-purple in autumn. Small green flowers produced in flowerheads surrounded by 4 large creamy-white bracts to 5cm in length, in early summer followed by fleshy, deep pink, strawberry-like fruits

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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, Alkaline
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Green Cream White Green
Autumn Red Purple Pink
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or North–facing or East–facing or West–facing

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

Correct

Plant range
China, Japan, Korea

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil in sun or light shade, best in neutral to acid soils but tolerant of alkaline conditions. For more advice, see flowering dogwood cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings or hardwood cuttings or grafting

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
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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