Tree · Cornaceae family

Kousa dogwood

Cornus kousa

Full sun to part shade in a garden ~9 ft 2¼ in × 8 ft 2⅜ in–9 ft 10⅛ in Flowers June Harvest August–October to −84 °F

Flower colors Click a color

In short a 10-second read

SunFull sun to part shade

in a garden after 10 years~9 ft 2¼ in
in the wild up to 26 ft 3 in
spacing 13 ft 1½ in

FlowersJune

PlantingMarch–April, October–November

WinterNo winter protection

Where to plant and how much to water

Sun, soil and water.

It grows best in full sun to part shade, in average to moist soil.

Sun

Sun6 hours or more

Part shade3–6 hours

Shadeunder 3 h

Soil

acidic to neutral soil

acidicneutralalkaline

average to moisthumus-richloamy

Watering

only in dry spellsless when it rains

Frost

−84 °F

no winter protectionleafless in winter

How much space it takes

Mature size.

The mature plant next to a person (69 in).

16 ft 4⅞ in–26 ft 3 in× spread 13 ft 1½ in–22 ft 11⅝ in

Plant 13 ft 1½ in apart.

Reaches maturity in about 20–50 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.

Calendar

Through the year.

Typical for a temperate climate (four seasons). The line shows the current month.

The year at a glance

FlowersPlantingFeedingHarvest

Now, in October: time to harvest.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Flowers

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June · white

Planting

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

container plant: March–April, October–November

Feeding

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May–June

Harvest

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

August–October

What to plant now (October) full list in October (243) →

Feeding

Nutrition.

Horn meal

up to 0.18 oz/sq ft a year, if the soil needs it · May–June

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Pests and diseases

Common problems and what to do.

The most common problems in Central Europe. Protection is listed from the gentlest option.

High riskMedium riskLow riskRisk for this plant according to the source · no label = no documented level

Dogwood anthracnose

Discula destructiva

Low riskdisease

What you will see

Spots on leaves and dieback of branches. Cornus kousa is resistant to it (C. florida is susceptible).

The source says: kousa dogwood is resistant to anthracnose.

How to protect

Prevention
- With Cornus kousa it is not usually a problem; do not overdo feeding, and cut out dead shoots in dry weather.
By hand springRemove dead shoots; protect the tree from drought and winter damage.

Dogwood anthracnosediseaseLow risk

What you will see

Spots on leaves and dieback of branches. Cornus kousa is resistant to it (C. florida is susceptible).

The source says: kousa dogwood is resistant to anthracnose.

How to protect

Prevention
- With Cornus kousa it is not usually a problem; do not overdo feeding, and cut out dead shoots in dry weather.
By hand springRemove dead shoots; protect the tree from drought and winter damage.

Sources (2)

Frequently asked

Quick answers.

When does kousa dogwood flower?

In June; the flowers are white.

When is kousa dogwood harvested?

In August–October.

Does kousa dogwood tolerate shade?

It tolerates part shade (3–6 hours of sun), but not full shade.

How much space does kousa dogwood need?

At maturity 13 ft 1½ in–22 ft 11⅝ in wide and 16 ft 4⅞ in–26 ft 3 in tall; recommended spacing 13 ft 1½ in.

Dogwood anthracnose — what can you do?

With Cornus kousa it is not usually a problem; do not overdo feeding, and cut out dead shoots in dry weather. Remove dead shoots; protect the tree from drought and winter damage.

Sources (15) Checked 24 October 2026