Cornus kousa chinensis | 2 Litre Pot | 40cm - 60cm Height

Discover Cornus kousa chinensis, a magnificent small tree offering seasonal beauty and elegance to any British garden landscape, bringing year-round interest.

This exquisite Chinese Dogwood provides a spectacular display throughout the year, making it a highly valued addition to UK gardens. Originating from East Asia, it boasts an elegant, spreading form. Furthermore, its distinct star-shaped bracts create a stunning visual impact in summer, resembling delicate flowers. As the seasons progress, its dark green leaves transform into breathtaking shades of crimson and purple, truly enhancing autumn scenery. Consequently, it delivers consistent visual appeal from spring through to winter.

Key Features of Cornus kousa chinensis

• Vibrant, creamy-white, star-like bracts appear in early summer.
• Foliage offers dramatic autumn colour, displaying rich reds and purples.
• Produces decorative, strawberry-like red berries in late summer and autumn.
• Features attractive, peeling bark on mature specimens for winter interest.
• Grows into an elegant, compact small tree or large shrub.

The Chinese Dogwood’s Allure

Cornus kousa chinensis, commonly known as Chinese Dogwood or Kousa Dogwood, derives its name from its geographical origin. ‘Chinensis’ specifically means ‘from China’. Moreover, ‘Cornus’ comes from the Latin word ‘cornu’, which translates to ‘horn’, referencing the exceptionally hard wood of some dogwood species. The specific epithet ‘kousa’ is rooted in its Japanese common name, highlighting its broader East Asian heritage. This particular cultivar is celebrated for its vigorous growth and abundant flowering.

Spectacular Seasonal Display

In early to mid-summer, typically June and July in the UK, this tree truly shines. It produces an abundance of creamy-white bracts. These petal-like structures surround the inconspicuous true flowers, forming elegant, star-shaped patterns that almost completely cover the branches. Indeed, these bracts mature slowly, often developing a delicate pink flush before they fade. Throughout the growing season, its oval, dark green leaves provide a lush backdrop. Subsequently, as autumn arrives, the foliage undergoes a spectacular transformation, erupting into brilliant shades of crimson, purple, and fiery orange-red. This vibrant display ensures the tree remains a focal point in the garden.

Benefits for Wildlife and Garden

Following the floral display, Cornus kousa chinensis develops distinctive, strawberry-like red berries. These ornamental fruits mature in late summer and autumn, adding another layer of visual interest. More importantly, they offer a valuable food source for local birds, attracting various species to your garden. Furthermore, the summer bracts provide nectar for pollinating insects, including bees and butterflies. This makes the Chinese Dogwood a wonderful choice for creating a wildlife-friendly garden space. Gardeners often choose this plant as a striking specimen tree, showcasing its multi-seasonal appeal. Additionally, its elegant form makes it suitable for planting at the back of mixed borders, alongside pathways, or within woodland gardens, where it can be admired from all angles. It grows as a small deciduous tree or a large, multi-stemmed shrub. Ultimately, its naturally graceful, spreading habit requires minimal interference.