Trees

Cornus kousa

White-flowering kousa dogwood

Also known as: Japanese dogwood · Chinese dogwood

White-flowering Cornus kousa in Ontario; licensed species photograph, not current inventory.

Pointed white bracts surround the small true flowers in late spring, after the leaves have opened. This slow-growing Asian dogwood develops a graceful spreading crown, raspberry-like pink-red fruit, reddish-purple fall color and mottled mature bark. Its resistance to dogwood anthracnose makes it a useful alternative to more susceptible flowering dogwoods.

At a glance

Sun: Full sun to part shade
Size: Height: 20–30 ft · Width: 15–30 ft
Water: Moist, well-drained soil
Hardiness: USDA 5–8
Bloom: White bracts in late spring

Sizes & prices

#7Kousa White Dogwood$149.99
#10$249.99

Catalog updated September 8, 2026. This is not a live stock count; please call to confirm availability and price.

Ask about this plant

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Landscape use & tree form

Use: Ornamental specimen
Form: Rounded; Spreading; Vase
Growth rate: Slow
Fruit / litter: Raspberry-like fruits fall in late summer and autumn; fermenting fruit can attract yellow jackets and seedlings may appear.
Major issues: Generally less anthracnose-prone than flowering dogwood; scale, borers, canker and leaf diseases remain possible.

Resistance & tolerances

Deer: Mild resistance to browsing
Drought: Species tolerates some dryness once established, better than flowering dogwood; irrigate prolonged drought.
Wet soil: Does not tolerate waterlogged soil.
Disease: Resistant to dogwood anthracnose; not disease-proof

Resistance is not a guarantee; deer and rabbits may browse any plant.

Pollinators & wildlife

Attracts: Pollinators

Seasonal interest

Foliage: Green; reddish-purple to scarlet in fall
Fruit: Pink-red rounded fruit in late summer and fall
Bark: Exfoliating tan and brown patches with age

Growing & care

Soil: Well-drained
Pruning: Allow the layered crown to develop naturally; restrict pruning to damaged, crossing or diseased branches.

Sources & photo credits

NC State Extension

Woodlanders Nursery

University of Minnesota Extension

Photo: Gogerr · CC BY-SA 4.0

Reviewed September 22, 2026. Growing conditions vary by location.