Kousa Dogwood (Cornus kousa)

How much light does a Kousa Dogwood need?

Full sun is the preferred exposure for kousa dogwood, meaning 6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day. Part shade is also listed as an exposure the tree accepts. Full sun is the first choice, and part shade is the second listed option. Aim for the sunniest spot you can offer, and use part shade only where that is not possible.

• Light: Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred)^1,2,3

How often to water a Kousa Dogwood

The water range listed for kousa dogwood runs from dry to medium. The source for this range describes consistently moist, well-drained soil, with occasional periods of dry soil. Medium is the wetter end of the listed range, and dry is the drier end. Good drainage is listed for the tree as well.

• Water: Dry to medium²

Best soil for a Kousa Dogwood

Good drainage is the first soil requirement listed for kousa dogwood, and the soil is described as well drained. The same listing includes occasional periods of dry soil. For pH, the tree tolerates acid to neutral soil, from pH 5 to 7.4. The limits given are pH 5 on the acid side and pH 7.4 on the neutral side. Pair that drainage with a water range of dry to medium.

• Soil drainage: Well drained and occasionally dry^1,2
• Soil pH: pH 5–7.4²

Hardiness and temperature

USDA hardiness zones 5a through 8b are listed for kousa dogwood. Zone 5a is the cold end of that range, and zone 8b is the warm end. No cited source records a minimum temperature for this tree. The sources do not give a humidity preference either. Your own zone should fall between 5a and 8b for the tree to be listed for your area.

• Hardiness: Zones 5a–8b¹

Fertilizing a Kousa Dogwood

One light feeding a year is listed for kousa dogwood. The timing given is spring, once frost has passed. That means waiting until frost is behind you before you apply any fertilizer. The listing asks for a light amount, applied once a year.

• Fertilizer: Light, once a year (Mar–May)⁴

How to plant a Kousa Dogwood

Check that your USDA zone falls between 5a and 8b before you plant. Allow for a mature height of 20–30 ft (6.1–9.14 m) and a spread of 20–30 ft (6.1–9.14 m). The tree is a deciduous tree with a slow growth rate. Choose well drained soil in full sun or part shade. Its bloom color is white and pink. Its US native status is introduced in the lower 48 states. Its native range is recorded as the region codes CHC, CHI, CHN, CHS, EHM, JAP, KOR, NNS and TAI.

• Hardiness: Zones 5a–8b¹

Winter care

This deciduous tree is listed for USDA hardiness zones 5a through 8b. Zone 5a is the cold limit of that listing, and zone 8b is the warm limit. No cited source records a minimum temperature for this tree. No winter protection method is documented on this page either. If your winter zone is colder than 5a, the listing does not cover your area.

• Hardiness: Zones 5a–8b¹

Common problems

Six pests are listed for kousa dogwood: calico scale, dogwood borer, dogwood sawfly, Japanese maple scale, leafhoppers and oyster shell scale. Diseases that can occur include botrytis leaf and flower blight, crown canker, bacterial leaf scorch, powdery mildew and septoria leaf spot. Phytophthora ramorum is also on the disease list.

• Common pests: calico scale, dogwood borer, dogwood sawfly, japanese maple scale, leafhoppers and oyster shell scale¹
• Common diseases: botrytis blight, crown canker, bacterial leaf scorch, powdery mildew, septoria leaf spot and phytophthora ramorum¹

Questions and answers

How much sun does kousa dogwood need?

Full sun is preferred, meaning 6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day. Part shade is also listed for the tree. The soil should be well drained.

How big does a kousa dogwood get?

A mature tree reaches 20–30 ft (6.1–9.14 m) tall, with a spread of 20–30 ft (6.1–9.14 m). It has a slow growth rate. It is a deciduous tree, and its bloom color is white and pink.

Which hardiness zones suit kousa dogwood?

It is listed for USDA zones 5a through 8b. Zone 5a is the coldest zone in that range. No cited source gives a minimum temperature for the tree. Full sun to part shade and well drained soil are listed as well.