Cornus kousa var.chinensis 'CHINA GIRL'

Japanese dogwoods are very popular shrubs in our climate because they have unusual flowers and habit and are fully hardy here.

China Girl is a freely flowering Japanese dogwood with numerous creamy white flowers in June when the shrub is fully in leaf. Technically, they are not flowers but 4 flower bracts composed around small flower heads. They are followed by edible, bright pink fruit that looks like litchi.

Pointed leaves are deciduous, ovate, dark green and slightly drooping. The best show begins in early autumn when they turn to orangey-red or vivid-red or bright purple. It grows slowly, making spreading, horizontal layers.

Every dogwood likes acidic soil, rich in organic material, and always moist. 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 16-01-2009.