Cornus kousa ‘Milky Way’

Kousa dogwood

Kousa dogwood is native to Japan, North Korea, and China. Cultivars like this one are grown as attractive ornamentals in many areas in North America.

Plants: Trees are typically 15–20′ (4.6–6.1 m) tall, with bark that peels of in large irregular layers, producing varying coloration in the trunk resembling camouflage that most find appealing. The three shape is vase-shaped at first, maturing into a rounded crown.

Leaves: Opposite leaves are 2–4 ⨉ ¾–1″ (5–10 ⨉ 1.9–2.5 cm), elliptic to ovate in shape, with smooth edges and leaf veins that are nearly parallel to the edges. Dark green summer leaves turn red or purple in the fall.

Flowers: This cultivar produces more flowers and fruit than the original. Dogwoods have showy white “flowers” about 3″ (7.6 cm) wide. Actually, though, the flowers are bracts—modified leaves, and the true flowers are an inconspicuous disc of yellow-green florets in the center. They flower from April to early July, depending upon locale.

Fruits: The fruits are the most unique aspect of this dogwood: bumpy globes about ¾–1″ (1.9–2.5 cm) around, bright pink, fading to dull red. The resemble a cross between a red-brown soccer ball and a land mine. The fruits reach upward on the ends of branches unless the branches bend. They are coveted by birds and squirrels.

Habitats: Rich, loamy, well-drained soils.

Edibility: Fruits are sweet and juicy raw or cooked, though very seedy and with a tough outer covering. The seeds are said to be poisonous, though.

Online References:

Cornus kousa ‘Milky Way’ description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.

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