Cornus kousa 'China Girl'

This particular dogwood is an improved early flowering form of the more well known Cornus kousa var chinensis and 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 is an excellent choice for a sunny border and can also be grown in a large container if required.

Introduced from Hupeh, a central province in China in 1910, Cornus kousa has proved to be a first class, small, hardy tree with huge numbers of eye-catching bracts. Plant in a position with plenty of sun for the best possible flower display.

• Position: Full sun.
• Soil: Well drained, fertile soil. Cornus kousa 'China Girl' will tolerate dry soils once established.
• Hardiness: Hardy
• Flowering Period: June.
• Flower Colour: Creamy white
• Rate of Growth: Moderate.
• Habit: Cornus kousa 'China Girl' grows to be a large shrub in the short term or eventually small tree with a dense, branching crown.
  • Height: up to 6 m (20 ft).
  • Spread: 5 m (16 ft).

• Notes: The flowering of this Cornus is somewhat dependent upon the previous years summer weather. After a long hot summer, the following years flowering will be magnificent and after a cold, wet summer the following years flowering will be poor or sporadic.