Chinese dogwood

Profile

Family

Cornaceae

Habit

Tree

Height

9 m

Spread

6 m

Growth

slow

Lifespan

90 years

First yield

after 6 years

Hardiness

zone 5–8

Shade tolerance

partial shade

Soil

Sand, Silt, Loam, Clay

Soil moisture

dry – moist

pH

5.5 – 7.5

Synonyms

Blumenhartriegel, Fruchthartriegel,

Flowering & harvest

Times apply to the northern hemisphere in a temperate climate and shift with altitude and cultivar.

Uses

Edible: Fruit can be enjoyed raw or cooked, being sweet and juicy in small amounts. While the skin is tough and unappealing, the flesh is delicious with a pudding-like texture, making it a favorite late summer fruit. The fruit is approximately 2 cm in diameter. Young leaves can also be cooked.

Medicinal: The bark sap is utilized for relieving stomach pain, but its toxicity requires caution.

Other uses: Wood is a dense and heavy material commonly utilized for crafting mallets and various tools.

Growing

A plant that is easy to cultivate and thrives in various fertile soils, ranging from acidic to slightly alkaline, but does not do well in shallow, calcareous soils. It prefers rich, well-drained loamy soil and a partially sunny location. This plant is highly decorative and can withstand temperatures as low as -20°C. Some named varieties have been created for their ornamental qualities. Young plants grow slowly at first, pick up speed after a few years, and then slow down again. The subspecies C. kousa chinensis shows more vigorous growth in terms of flowering and fruiting, although it looks very similar to the main species. This plant can crossbreed with C. capitata, with the cultivar 'Norman Hadden' possibly being one such hybrid. Plants in this genus exhibit remarkable resistance to honey fungus.

Propagation

Seeds are most effectively planted right after they have fully matured, either in a cool environment or outside if there are enough seeds. It is important to remove the seeds from the surrounding pulp to eliminate any substances that might hinder germination. For stored seeds, it is recommended to expose them to cold temperatures for 3-4 months before planting them as early as possible in the year. Preparing the seeds by roughening their surface can be beneficial, along with a period of warm treatment before the cold exposure. Germination, particularly for stored seeds, can be a lengthy process, sometimes taking 18 months or more. Seedlings from seeds planted in a cool environment should be transferred to individual pots promptly once they are sufficiently grown. These plants should spend their first winter in a greenhouse before being transferred outdoors in the spring, after the risk of frost has passed. Taking cuttings from semi-ripe shoots in July or August is recommended in a cool setting. Cuttings from mature wood of the current year, preferably with a section, should be taken in the autumn in a cool environment. This method has a high success rate. Layering new growth in June or July can last for 9 months.

Notable

Special features: Sensitive to prolonged drought (see shallow rooting); best pruned during flowering. Flavor varies by variety; well-known varieties include 'Milky Way,' 'China Girl,' 'Big Apple,' and 'Norman Hadden.' The latter is a cross with Cornus capitata (larger fruits, but less frost-hardy). Cornus kousa is generally less fruitful.

Origin & habitat

East Asia - China, Japan, Korea.

Hedges, woodland edges, etc. in.

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