Japanese Dogwood CORNUS KOUSA

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Product Description

CORNUS KOUSA – Japanese Dogwood


Characteristics


Japanese Dogwood is a small tree or large shrub, which grows rather slowly to 6m (20ft).
It has an upright habit, widening with age.  The beauty of this Dogwood is the large creamy white flower bracts which appear in early summer, are long lasting and can turn a pinkish tinge as they age.
Strawberry like red fruits are produced which are edible, but an acquired taste. The leaves are green and rounded changing to reds and purples in autumn.

Where to grow

Cornus kousa is best grown as a specimen tree in a fertile, humus-rich and neutral to acid soil in full sun or partial shade. It is not recommended for poor or shallow soils.

They are slow-growing when young, but can speed up after a few years when established. Cornus kousa is best left to develop a branched-head with minimal amounts of pruning. Dead wood should be removed after flowering as they do not like hard pruning.

Did you know?

A native of Japan, Korea and central China it came to Britain in the 19th Century.

 

Features

Mature Height

Small - 5-10 metres

Spread

0-5 metres

Shape / Habit

Pyramidal
Shrub Multi-Stem

Growth Rate

Slow

Soil Type

All soil types

Sun Levels

Full sun
Partial shade

Difficulty / Hard to Grow

Medium

Evergreen / Deciduous

Deciduous

Autumn Colour

Orange
Red
Yellow

Leaf Colour

Green

Foliage

Dense
Small leaves
Late to drop leaves

Flower Colour

White

Flowering Type

Single

Flowering Month

May
June

Berries / Fruit Colour

Red

Uses

Garden Tree
Small garden Tree
City/Urban Sites
Edible Fruit/Nuts
Flower Arranging

Season

Autumn
Spring
Summer

Other Features

Needs shelter

Aftercare

Pruning Cornus kousa

Take care when pruning Cornus kousa; it will not respond well to hard pruning, and the young twiggy growth produces the flowers, so once established it is best given minimal attention. It can be trained as a standard, but do so gradually, clearing no more than 3ft.

What time of year should I prune? Cornus can be pruned from Autumn through to early Spring.

 

For the continued healthy growth of your trees, shrubs or hedging it is vital that you follow the advice below.

Watering

The main reason that plants die within 12 months of having been planted is lack of water. It is essential throughout the spring and summer, to give a heavy enough watering to enable the water to penetrate right down to the deepest root level of the tree. In hot dry spells give the equivalent of 2 bucketfuls every three days.

Weed Control

One of the most common causes of lack of water is competition from grass. When trees are first establishing, the grass roots would be at the same level as the tree roots and are far more efficient at taking up water and thus choke the tree. It is vital that for at least 3 years after planting your tree or hedge has a circle or strip one metre wide completely free of grass.

  1. Mulch mats are an effective way to stop grass and weeds, although they will require a careful eye to make sure they continue to work. After clearing the ground around the tree, firmly fit the mat by tucking the edges into the soil and put a thick layer of bark mulch on top of this. Be careful not to allow the woodchip to touch the stem as it can cause rot.
  2. Weed killer is very effective, however it is harmful to the environment. Organic weed killers usually do not kill roots. Weed killer needs to be applied each year for the first 3 years, preferably when the tree is dormant, or just once before applying a mulch mat.
  3. Mowing or strimming is NOT an answer to the problem. Each time you mow, the grass will grow back more vigorously and strimming invariably leads to lacerated trunks.

Staking

If trees are not correctly secured they will rock in the planting pit. Roots not firmly in contact with the soil are unable to take up moisture and nutrients, resulting in die back or death of the tree. Check, particularly after windy weather, that stakes are still solidly in the ground keeping the base of the trunk firm. The purpose of the stakes is to anchor the roots. Flexing in the wind, higher up the trunk, is not necessarily a problem if the roots are firm.

Bellow is list of the correct system to use to secure your trees.

  • 40/60, 60/80, 80/100 whips - Unless rabbit/deer problem no need to stake.
  • 100/125, 125/150 1.2m Cane and Easi tie.
  • 150/175 1.2m square stake and a buckle tie and spacer.
  • 175/250, 6/8, 8/10 15L 1.65 Tree stake and a buckle tie and spacer.
  • All larger trees. 2 x 1.65 Tree stake and cross rail with 38mm cushion spacer and 1m of 38mm strapping.

Ties

Always use our recommended tree ties or strapping. These are designed and manufactured with the correct amount of give to hold the tree firm without strangling it. They should be checked at the end of each growing season for adjustment as the trunk thickens. Non proprietary materials such as baler twine will cut into the bark and should not be used.

Protection from Animal Damage

Rabbits, deer, sheep, cattle and horses can all potentially damage trees. Ask us for advice on the most appropriate guards for your trees or hedge. Squirrels are also a terrible pest when trees get to about 20ft tall but there is no protection available.

Are the delivery costs the same no matter how many plants I order?

Yes the delivery costs stay the same no matter how many plants you have on your order. They are worked out based on your distance from our nursery and can be found here.

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