Japanese Dogwood

One of the loveliest of the flowering dogwoods, Cornus kousa is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree, developing a spreading, domed canopy. Makes a perfect specimen tree, and for small gardens it can be kept smaller by pruning. Leaves turn purple and red in autumn. The true flowers are small, but are surrounded by four showy, very long-lasting bracts, which open green and turn white as they increase in size. These appear in early summer, and are followed in late summer by dangling, deep pink, strawberry-like fruits. Coming as it does from a country with a maritime climate, the Japanese dogwood is better suited to our climate than the American dogwoods, although it will always flower better after a hot summer.

Site: Tolerates exposure
Soil: Any reasonably well-drained soil
Position: Full sun or partial shade
Season of Interest: Spring, Summer, autumn
Hardiness: Hardy
Height: Eventually 26-40ft (8-12m) Spread: 26ft (8m)