Japanese Dogwood
Cornus kousa chinensis

Family: Cornaceae

What it is like

Cornus kousa chinensis is a deciduous Tree growing to 10 m (32ft) by 6 m (19ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower in June, and the seeds ripen in September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 10

Where it is found

Thickets, 1200 - 2200 metres.

E. Asia - China.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 5

Fruit - raw or cooked. Sweet and juicy, it is very nice in small quantities. Very seedy. The skin is rather tough and unpleasant, but the pulp is delicious with a custard-like texture. This fruit gained very high marks from a group of 7 people in a fruit-tasting visit to various gardens. The fruit is about 2cm in diameter. Young leaves - cooked.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 2

Wood - very hard and heavy. Used for mallets etc.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

How it is grown

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in any soil of good or moderate fertility, ranging from acid to shallow chalk. Does not like chalky soils according to other reports. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers a rich well-drained loamy soil and a position that is at least partially sunny. A very ornamental plant, it is hardy to about -20°c. A number of named forms have been developed for their ornamental value. Plants are slow-growing when young, they speed up somewhat after a few years but then soon slow down again. This sub-species of C. kousa grows more freely, flowering and fruiting better in Britain though it barely differs in appearance from the species. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame or in an outdoors seedbed if there is sufficient seed. The seed must be separated from the fruit flesh since this contains germination inhibitors. Stored seed should be cold stratified for 3 - 4 months and sown as early as possible in the year. Scarification may also help as may a period of warm stratification before the cold stratification. Germination, especially of stored seed, can be very slow, taking 18 months or more. Prick out the seedlings of cold-frame sown seeds into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow the plants on for their first winter in a greenhouse, planting out in the spring after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe side shoots, July/August in a frame. Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, taken with a heel if possible, autumn in a cold frame. High percentage. Layering of new growth in June/July. Takes 9 months.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Canopy; Secondary; Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 5-8

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Dendrobenthamia japonica. (Thunb.)Hutch.