Skip to content
Log inStart trial

Chinese Dogwood

Cornus Kousa Var. Chinensis

Design with this plant

Overview

Chinese Dogwood (Cornus kousa var. chinensis) is a graceful, small deciduous tree reaching up to 20-30 feet at maturity. Known for its layered structure and vase shape, it features prolific white-to-pink bracts in late spring, followed by raspberry-like fruits. It has green foliage that turns to radiant reds and purples in fall. Ideal as a specimen or focal point, this hardy tree prefers partial shade and well-drained soil. Zones 5-8.

Sun Full, HalfWater Extra in Summer, MediumZones 5–8Type Shrub, TreeClimate Temperate
Chinese Dogwood (Cornus Kousa Var. Chinensis) — the Chinese Dogwood blossoms profusely with star-like flowers which are actually bracts; for an elegant touch
Chinese Dogwood (Cornus Kousa Var. Chinensis) — injecting a striking palette into the landscape as temperatures cool; ideal as a specimen or focal, image 134Chinese Dogwood (Cornus Kousa Var. Chinensis) — particularly to Dogwood anthracoseChinese Dogwood (Cornus Kousa Var. Chinensis) — For an elegant touch of both form and function in your landscape design; from specimen and border, image 66Chinese Dogwood (Cornus Kousa Var. Chinensis) — followed by raspberry-like fruitsChinese Dogwood (Cornus Kousa Var. Chinensis) — typically maturing to a height of 15 to 30 feet with a spread of 15 to 30 feet at an average growth, image 99Chinese Dogwood (Cornus Kousa Var. Chinensis) — chinensis) is a graceful, small deciduous tree reaching up to 20-30 feet at maturity; deciduous, image 60+131

Culture

Sun
Full, Half
Water
Extra in Summer, Medium
USDA zones
5–8

Shape & size

Mature height
15–30 Ft.
Mature width
15–30 Ft.

Classification

Type
Shrub, Tree
Family
Cornaceae
Climate
Temperate

See full data, regional cultivation notes, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (138)

Chinese Dogwood (Cornus Kousa Var. Chinensis) — the Chinese Dogwood blossoms profusely with star-like flowers which are actually bracts; for an elegant touch
Chinese Dogwood (Cornus Kousa Var. Chinensis) — injecting a striking palette into the landscape as temperatures cool; ideal as a specimen or focal, image 134
Chinese Dogwood (Cornus Kousa Var. Chinensis) — particularly to Dogwood anthracose
Chinese Dogwood (Cornus Kousa Var. Chinensis) — For an elegant touch of both form and function in your landscape design; from specimen and border, image 66
Chinese Dogwood (Cornus Kousa Var. Chinensis) — followed by raspberry-like fruits
Chinese Dogwood (Cornus Kousa Var. Chinensis) — typically maturing to a height of 15 to 30 feet with a spread of 15 to 30 feet at an average growth, image 99
Chinese Dogwood (Cornus Kousa Var. Chinensis) — chinensis) is a graceful, small deciduous tree reaching up to 20-30 feet at maturity; deciduous, image 60
Chinese Dogwood (Cornus Kousa Var. Chinensis) — injecting a striking palette into the landscape as temperatures cool; ideal as a specimen or focal, image 105
Chinese Dogwood (Cornus Kousa Var. Chinensis) — the Chinese Dogwood will undoubtedly be an exquisite and enduring feature within your client's, image 113
Chinese Dogwood (Cornus Kousa Var. Chinensis) — showcasing a pleasing rounded to vase-shaped canopy.<br><br>In late spring to early summer
Chinese Dogwood (Cornus Kousa Var. Chinensis) — chinensis) is a graceful, small deciduous tree reaching up to 20-30 feet at maturity; deciduous, image 89
Chinese Dogwood (Cornus Kousa Var. Chinensis) — scientifically known as Cornus kousa var; consider incorporating the Chinese Dogwood, image 126
Chinese Dogwood (Cornus Kousa Var. Chinensis) — For an elegant touch of both form and function in your landscape design; from specimen and border, image 95
Chinese Dogwood (Cornus Kousa Var. Chinensis) — Chinese Dogwood (Cornus kousa var; it features prolific white-to-pink bracts in late spring, image 117
Chinese Dogwood (Cornus Kousa Var. Chinensis) — It is also relatively low-maintenance; shrub / tree with white blooms, image 79
Chinese Dogwood (Cornus Kousa Var. Chinensis) — from specimen and border plantings to wildlife gardens; preferring partial shade to full sun and well-drained
Chinese Dogwood (Cornus Kousa Var. Chinensis) — scientifically known as Cornus kousa var
Chinese Dogwood (Cornus Kousa Var. Chinensis) — Known for its layered structure and vase shape; injecting a striking palette into the landscape as, image 61
Chinese Dogwood (Cornus Kousa Var. Chinensis) — Desirable for its year-round beauty; white flowers in the garden, image 83
Chinese Dogwood (Cornus Kousa Var. Chinensis) — white flowers in the garden
Chinese Dogwood (Cornus Kousa Var. Chinensis) — deciduous tree is celebrated for its multi-seasonal interest; maturing to a subtle shade of pink, image 127
Chinese Dogwood (Cornus Kousa Var. Chinensis) — shrub / tree with white blooms; this tree also bears raspberry-like fruits about 1/2 to 1 inch in diameter
Chinese Dogwood (Cornus Kousa Var. Chinensis) — injecting a striking palette into the landscape as temperatures cool; ideal as a specimen or focal, image 76
Chinese Dogwood (Cornus Kousa Var. Chinensis) — followed by raspberry-like fruits; known for its layered structure and vase shape
Photographs by 13 contributors

Related plants

American Yellowtwig Dogwood (Cornus Sericea 'Flaviramea') — notable for its vibrant yellow-green stems that add winter interest

Tree

American Yellowtwig Dogwood

Cornus Sericea 'Flaviramea'

FullUSDA 10–10
Arctic Fire® Red Red-Osier Dogwood (Cornus stolonifera) — Proven Winners - Arctic Fire® Red - Red-Osier Dogwood - Cornus stolonifera white plant details

Arctic Fire® Red Red-Osier Dogwood

Cornus stolonifera

Full
Arctic Fire® Yellow Red-Osier Dogwood (Cornus stolonifera) — The Cornus stolonifera Arctic Fire® Yellow is a deciduous dogwood with dark green foliage

Arctic Fire® Yellow Red-Osier Dogwood

Cornus stolonifera

Full
Arctic Sun® Dogwood (Cornus sanguinea) — The Cornus sanguinea Arctic Sun® is a compact deciduous dogwood with green foliage

Shrub

Arctic Sun® Dogwood

Cornus sanguinea

FullUSDA 3–8
Aurora White Flowering Dogwood (Cornus X Aurora) — This hybrid typically reaches 20 to 25 feet in height and spreads 15 to 20 feet wide, offering a rounded form

Shrub

Aurora White Flowering Dogwood

Cornus X Aurora

FullUSDA 5–9
Bailey's Twisted Dogwood (Cornus Sericea 'Baileyi') — spiral branches that add winter interest

Shrub

Bailey's Twisted Dogwood

Cornus Sericea 'Baileyi'

FullUSDA 3–6