Kousa Dogwood
Full bloomCornus kousa
Cornaceae · broadleaf deciduous tree · introduced
Last updated
Kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa, Cornaceae) is a moderate-growing deciduous tree from Japan, Korea, and China, reaching 15 to 25 feet in cultivation. It develops a vase-shaped form in youth that matures to distinctive horizontal branching. Four creamy-white, taper-pointed bracts (2.5 to 5 centimeters) surround small yellowish-green true flowers from May to June, blooming later than C. florida. Pink-red, spherical fruit (13 to 25 millimeters) hang on pendulous stalks. Fall color is scarlet.
Kousa dogwood grows in sun to part shade on well-drained soils (pH 5.5 to 6.5) with moderate water needs, hardy in Zones 5a to 8b. It is deer-resistant and more disease-resistant than flowering dogwood (C. florida), with documented resistance to anthracnose in several cultivars including 'Milky Way' and 'China Girl.' Disease associations still include anthracnose, powdery mildew, Armillaria root rot, and others. Pest associations include lecanium scale, oystershell scale, dogwood sawfly, and flea beetle. Cultivars include 'Wolf Eyes' (variegated), 'Gold Star' (gold-centered leaves), 'Scarlet Fire,' 'Radiant Rose,' and 'Sunsplash.'
Plant Profile
Size & Form
Site Requirements
Ornamental Interest
Field Observations
Active Conidial Spread
Crawler Emergence
Active Infection & Secondary Spread
Active Below-ground Growth
+ 2 more — see full disease and pest lists below
Diseases: Regionally Documented (7)
Pests: Regionally Documented (6)
Phenological Calendar
As of June 3, 2026, Puget Sound stations range from 2435.5 to 2672.8 GDD₃₂. Kousa Dogwood has passed full bloom (2633 GDD₃₂).
Regional Season Tracker
GDD₃₂ accumulation across 7 Puget Sound stations · as of Jun 3, 2026| Station | GDD₃₂ | Current Stage | Next | To Go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issaquah / East King | 2,673 | Full bloom | — | — |
| Kent / Auburn | 2,665 | Full bloom | — | — |
| Seattle / UW | 2,610 | Beginning of flowering | Full bloom | 23 |
| Olympia / Tumwater | 2,570 | Beginning of flowering | Full bloom | 64 |
| Tacoma / Puyallup | 2,535 | Beginning of flowering | Full bloom | 98 |
| Bellingham / Whatcom | 2,533 | Beginning of flowering | Full bloom | 100 |
| Sequim / Rain Shadow | 2,436 | Beginning of flowering | Full bloom | 198 |
View full calendar (3 stages)
| Stage | GDD32 | Typical Window |
|---|---|---|
| Beginning of flowering BBCH 61 | 2253 | — |
| ● Full bloom BBCH 65 NOW | 2633 Observed | — |
| flowering BBCH 61 | — Observed | — |
Sources: OSU phenology catalog (OSU: weather.cfaes.osu.edu) ; 'Field observation, Issaquah, WA, n=3' About GDD₃₂ →
Season tracker for Kent / Auburn as of Jun 3, 2026. Predicted dates use 16-day weather forecast through Jun 19, 2026, then climate normals.