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Chinese Dogwood Cornus Kousa China Girl

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British Grown – The British Grown logo denotes plants and trees that have been both propagated and grown in the UK. Read more

Product Description

CORNUS KOUSA CHINA GIRL – Chinese Dogwood

Characteristics

This is an improved early flowering selection of Cornus Kousa Chinensis introduced in the 1970’s.  It has masses of large, creamy-white flower bracts in June. Brightly coloured, strawberry-like fruits follow the flower bracts in autumn after a hot summer.

The leaves are dark green in summer and turn pretty shades of red/orange in autumn before falling.

It makes a bushy shrubby tree of rounded form up to about 6m (20ft) with a similar head.

Where to grow

Cornus kousa China Girl 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.

Did you know?

The flowering of this Cornus is somewhat dependent upon the previous summer weather.  A good, warm, sunny summer in the previous year leads to better flowering than when poor, cool conditions have prevailed.

 

Features

Mature Height

Small - 5-10 metres

Spread

5-10 metres

Shape / Habit

Spreading

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

Leaf Colour

Green

Foliage

Dense
Small leaves

Flower Colour

White

Flowering Month

June

Berries / Fruit Colour

Red

Uses

Screening
Garden Tree
Small garden Tree
City/Urban Sites
Flower Arranging

Season

Autumn
Spring

Other Features

Needs shelter

Aftercare

Pruning Cornus kousa China Girl

Cornus kousa China Girl is often favoured over Chinensis for its improved flower display, but be wary of removing flower buds by pruning out new growth. It will not tolerate hard pruning, but fortunately has a naturally good form that needs little maintenance. It can be trained as a standard gradually, over a number of years, only removing the very low lateral stems – the clear stem should be little more than a quarter of the overall height.

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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