About this Class

The Kousa dogwood is a handsome, small- to medium-sized tree reaching a mature height of 30 feet. Sometimes referred to as the Chinese dogwood, this Asian is a cousin to our native flowering dogwood. It can be used as a specimen plant or in shrub borders. The plant has a slow growth rate and prefers a sunny location but is tolerant of moderate shade. It does better in open areas like lawns than the native trees, but it prefers some light shade, especially in the afternoon. It flourishes in well-drained, acidic soil, and while it tolerates some dry soil, it will not survive in waterlogged environments.