Cornus kousa 'BENIFUJI'

Benifuji is a Japanese dogwood variety which in this case originated in Japan, near Mount Fuji. It was found among selected seedlings in Shinkyo Gotenba-shi nursery already in 1970, still, its patent was released only in 1994 (PP8,676).

Benifuji (or Beni Fuji) is a Japanese dogwood with the deepest pink purple bracts known to trade so far (2014). The colour depth even beats another old favourite Satomi whose bracts turn rich pink later after opening while Benifuji offers rich colour soon after the bracts unfold. They surround small spherical flower-heads which are followed by edible and quite tasty fruit in September when their skin softens and turns pink-red. Just make sure your black birds do not harvest them sooner.

Leaves are deciduous, ovate and wavy-margined, dark green, and turn brilliant shades of crimson and burgundy red with some gold hues in autumn. Benifuji is a slow grower forming a vase-shaped shrub or a small tree with dense branching. It is quite compact and requires little or no pruning, however, if you need to keep it smaller cut it soon after flowering.

Every dogwood likes acidic soil, rich in organic material, and always moist but well-drained soil. Some gardeners advise planting it in semi-shade to reduce summer sunlight but we do not recommend that. Plant it in full sun and mulch the roots well. In dry spells provide extra watering and thus you can be sure your dogwood will flower profusely and will be richer and healthier. Use of selective fertilizers supporting flowering and leaf colour is advised. Fully hardy to about -29°C (USDA zone 5).

Last update 09-09-2014.