How to Grow and Care for Kousa dogwood

Kousa dogwood, also known as Korean dogwood, Japanese dogwood, Chinese dogwood

Kousa dogwood is known for being quite resilient and adaptable, making it an easy plant to care for. Key care points include providing well-drained soil, as kousa dogwood is sensitive to overly wet conditions, which can lead to root diseases. Another special care consideration is that kousa dogwood benefits from mulching, which helps maintain soil moisture and temperature. With these care aspects managed, kousa dogwood thrives and is generally resistant to pests and diseases.

Watering schedule: Every 1-2 weeks

Sunlight Requirements: Full sun

In This Article

Planting and Growing Kousa dogwood

Toughness	High
Care Level	Low
Care Difficulty	Easy
Lifespan	Perennial
Watering Schedule	Every 1-2 weeks
Sunlight Requirements	Full sun
Soil pH	5.5-6.5
Planting Time	Spring, Fall
Hardiness Zones	4-9

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Varieties of Kousa dogwood

Kousa dogwood 'Miss Satomi'

This dogwood cultivar is known for its four seasons of interest, sporting an array of flowers, leaves, and fruit that are quite ornamental. Developed by Japanese hybridized Akiri Shibamichi, he named the kousa dogwood 'Miss Satomi' after his granddaughter, Satomi. The kousa dogwood 'Miss Satomi' may attract both pollinators for its flowers and birds for its small, strawberry-like fruits.

Common Pests & Diseases

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More General Info About Kousa dogwood

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Quickly Identify Kousa dogwood

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Kousa dogwood is a striking deciduous tree known to reach a mature stature of about 30 feet (9 meters) in height. Its distinctive bark peels away in patches, blending shades of tan and brown. In the late spring, the tree is adorned with creamy, white, pointed bracts, encircling clusters of inconspicuous flowers. By late summer and fall, it bears reddish to pink fruit, botanically classified as drupes. The foliage of kousa dogwood is lustrous dark green and undergoes a dramatic transformation to reddish-purple or scarlet tones come autumn.