Hello Gardeners, I’m Amanda McNulty with Clemson Extension and Making It Grow. As our native dogwoods, Cornus florida, became susceptible to numerous diseases, horticulturists looked for alternatives. One Asian species does have some resistance to certain diseases and has become a popular substitute for our native small understory tree. Cornus kousa is a lovely tree with some differences. It blooms after the leaves have emerged, so you don’t get that airy aspect of our Cornus florida. As the tree ages, the bark becomes blocky and adds winter interest. Also the white bracts (the structures that look like petals) are pointed at the end rather than notched. The fruits is larger but still edible and attractive to birds. Cornus kousa is, however, even more susceptible to heat and water stress than the native dogwood and if you plant one, give it part shade and plan to provide supplemental irrigation even after the tree is well established.
An Asian Dogwood that Stands Up to Disease
